Finding Talent in Channel 4

By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter

“Attention all shoppers. Developers are available in aisle 4. Bring your developers to the checkout to receive 10% off list price.”

Too many employers treat individuals with special skills as commodities that can only be purchased in bulk, as if they are Blu-ray specials (for those outside the US, a US retailer will put Blu-rays in the aisle near the promotional items and call them Blu-ray specials).

The result of this commoditization of talent for your company could impact your company’s reputation in a market that is starting to show signs of labor shortages in certain key areas, such as IT.

Don’t believe me?

The head of a function at a company was selected from three job offers based on the company’s reputation among his friends and the behavior they demonstrated during interviews, and did not choose the highest salary.

This is becoming increasingly common as people have ready access to online information, the ability to maintain relationships with former colleagues through social networks, and the job market becoming more active again.

Another person hired in a leadership function at an insurance company was so impressed with the way executive leadership interviewed him and built a relationship with him over multiple interviews that he was prepared to accept a lower offer. . . But it’s not necessary. In fact, he received a job offer with a financial incentive to stay with them for a few years (which, given his work history, was unnecessary).

My point is that we are back to a time when it is critical to get back to marketing your organization and job opportunities to potential employees.

Not just middle and senior managers, but also seemingly junior employees.

Last week I got a call from a good client who was asking for someone with 2-3 years of experience in a specific skill set, but was unwilling to consider someone with slightly more seniority.

I asked, “Where do you think I can find this person? They don’t exist.”

“Why don’t they exist?”

“Because 2-3 years ago, when we were in a hiring slowdown, no one was hiring anyone, especially beginners. Now no one has 2-3 years of experience.”

Yes, there will be talent shortages in many job categories in the future, an inevitable result of corporate behavior over the past few years.

Often, no money is needed to give your business an edge in your industry. It takes consistent effort to build a good reputation and a willingness to put in the effort in all interviews to make everyone feel good about your business, even if you don’t plan on hiring them.

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