Introduction
With candidate shortages and high demand for skilled workers, it’s crucial for businesses to stand out to secure the best talent.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 5 key strategies that can help you not only attract quality candidates but also keep them engaged and motivated throughout the hiring process.
Strategy 1: Build a Strong Employer Brand
Building a strong employer brand means getting clear on who you are as a company – your values, mission, and culture. Once you’ve got that, you need to make sure it is correctly showcased through your marketing materials and communication.
Take Tony’s Chocolonely for example, their mission and story is printed directly on their chocolate wrapping, and their LinkedIn and website drive this home by nicely aligning it with their values. You’ll want to do the same with your brand: communicate the mission, but also live and breathe it.
A great way of highlighting your strong employer brand is with temp worker testimonials and success stories. It presents an attractive opportunity for workers if they notice that you’re treating your workforce well, and they’re hearing positive things about your agency.
Finally, never forget to emphasise DEI (Diversity, Equality, Inclusivity) and the strategies you’re taking to build a good company culture.
Strategy 2: Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits
There’s not very often a consideration around how a temp agency can offer a variety of benefits to their temp workers, but offering the right incentives can have a huge impact on your ability to attract quality candidates.
Of course, a huge benefit of being a temp worker is the ability to choose your hours and have the desired flexibility associated with work, which is something you can talk about in your marketing materials.
However, there are additional (and more creative) benefits that can make a big difference in attracting top talent.
Here are some innovative ways to enhance your compensation packages:
- Training and Development Voucher: Give candidates a free or discounted professional development course, training day, or certification. This adds value to their career and builds loyalty to your agency, making them more likely to return for future assignments.
- Early Bird Bonus: Offer an extra bonus or incentive to candidates who accept and start assignments within a short notice period. This helps fill urgent roles quickly and rewards candidates for their flexibility, making your agency their go-to choice for temp work.
- Referral Reward: Provide a one-time bonus or incentive for candidates who refer a friend or colleague to your agency, especially if the referral successfully completes an assignment. This can help expand your candidate pool while rewarding existing candidates for their network.
- Loyalty Reward: Implement a one-time loyalty bonus for candidates who have consistently worked with your agency over a certain period. This could be in the form of a cash bonus, a gift card, or even a small token of appreciation.
- Seasonal Gifts: Show appreciation to your temp workforce with small seasonal gifts. These tokens of gratitude can make your candidates feel valued and strengthen their connection to your agency, increasing the likelihood that they’ll choose you for future assignments.
Strategy 3: Utilise Technology for Recruitment
Did you know 73% of job seekers find the hiring process stressful?
That’s a pretty astounding statistic, so you should always choose to make it as easy for them as possible to apply with your agency, especially if you want to retain them long-term.
Recruitment software or ATS is crucial for streamlining the hiring process but for also maintaining a good level or organisation with the candidate. We know from most of our clients that candidates usually complete the application form from their mobile device, so you’ll need to make sure the partner you choose has a mobile-friendly option available.
PrimePRO’s detailed application form makes it easy to request whatever you need from the candidate, and control what sort of responses you need. For example, you can tailor it for a teacher, request the compliances you need such as a TRN number, or send them a document to sign with our feature PrimeSIGN, meaning you can request a live signature. If an applicant gets so far and ditches the process, the system will auto save where they left of. Even better, it will auto send an email to the candidate to remind them to finish the process.
Once a customer has completed their application and verified their identity with identify validation technology such as TrustID, you are now free to book them out. With search filters available, it’s easy to display candidates you need – e.g. the ones who have the right skill, fit the geographical region (with an optional swanky Google Maps integration), and if they have worked with that client before.
With mass communication features available, the candidate can look forward to receiving text messages with available shifts. All they need to do is reply yes or no, and the system will automatically book them.
So, as 83% of candidates prefer having a clear timeline of the hiring process, make sure you make it easy for them with recruitment software that will speed up the entire process.
Strategy 4: Enhance Your Recruitment Marketing
Almost 90% of applicants find job openings through social media – so you need to make sure your presence on their is optimised for candidates to find you an attractive choice.
For example, including clear and concise job descriptions that highlight the benefits and unique aspects of working with your agency can make a significant difference. Candidates are looking for roles that not only match their skills but also offer a compelling work environment, so be sure to communicate your agency’s strengths and values.
Another key element is visual content—candidates are more likely to engage with posts that include eye-catching graphics, videos, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of what it’s like to work with your agency. This type of content not only grabs attention but also builds your brand’s identity, making you more memorable to potential candidates.
Interactive content is another powerful tool. Polls, quizzes, and live Q&A sessions can help you engage with candidates directly, answering their questions and addressing concerns in real time. This not only helps you attract candidates but also builds trust and rapport, making them more likely to choose your agency.
Lastly, showcasing testimonials and success stories from current or past temp workers can help you build credibility. Potential candidates want to know that others have had positive experiences with your agency in the past. By sharing these stories, you can demonstrate the value and opportunities that come along with working through your agency, further enticing top talent to apply.
Strategy 5: Focus on Candidate Experience
Lastly, focusing on your candidate experience is a winning strategy for attracting them. As we’ve already discussed earlier in this article, strategies 1-4 all feed into this final point.
To bring a higher level of candidate engagement and satisfaction, it’s crucial that your team speaks to candidates with respect, friendliness, and empathy. Taking a personal approach goes a long way—don’t treat them like just another number in your system, but give them the attention and respect they deserve.
And… don’t forget to keep them updated! Recruitment agencies can quickly gain a bad reputation if they ignore candidates or fail to communicate effectively. Whether it’s good or bad news, it’s vital to keep candidates in the loop. This shows that you care about their journey and value them as individuals, not just potential placements.
By prioritising a positive and transparent candidate experience, you’ll not only attract quality candidates but also build lasting relationships that can lead to future success.
Conclusion
Remember, these strategies not only help in attracting the right candidates but also in retaining them, ensuring long-term success in your recruitment efforts.
If you’re interested in learning how recruitment technology can enhance your candidate engagement and retention, reach out to our friendly team for a demo today.
