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Look Outside the Line for Talent

Go On, Be Brave — The World is Your Oyster

By: Benjamin T. Kurten Labor & Employment Shareholder

Looking for a diverse group of motivated, highly educated and hard-working individuals to help fill your organization’s hiring needs for high-skilled and professional positions? If yes, then you should consider looking outside the line. And I am talking about the line that makes up the border of the United States, because just outside that line is a vast group of individuals capable of bringing to your workplace an incredible array of new talents, ideas, perspectives, excitement and global connections. Fortunately, looking outside the line does not always mean having to look far here in Southeastern Wisconsin. The exceptional network of colleges, universities and vocational schools in our region already attracts and educates an extensive number of individuals from outside the United States. This group of well-educated, motivated and global youth is more than ready and willing to make significant contributions to your workforce. There is also a vast array of equally talented, bright and dedicated workers still residing in their home countries who know about our region because of the many globally respected employers based in Southeastern Wisconsin (of course, it also helps that our area is widely known for its festivals, educational community, research institutes, sports teams and Bronze Fonz).

Considering individuals born outside of the United States for your high-skilled and professional positions literally opens a whole new world for your place of employment. And with the proper guidance, venturing into the world of hiring foreign-born talent does not have to be as scary as you may think. Exploring and embracing the world of global immigration for talent acquisition allows your organization to tap into a broader and more diverse skill-set and educational background pool than considering only native-born

talent. It also provides an introduction to a larger segment of the population willing to consider living in the Midwest because of the opportunities it provides to them for mobility into a better life and a segue into the American dream. Augmenting your workforce with well-educated foreign-born talent also draws more diverse perspectives about how to do business on a global scale, new technologies that may be emerging in international markets, possible expanding global markets for your products, and additional interpersonal skills that individuals from other cultures can provide.

Admittedly, navigating the complex world of federal immigration law is not always for the faint-of-heart. But those willing to take the plunge into these often-unexplored waters will find themselves well-rewarded with exceptional talent who make significant contributions to their workforce along with that “well, that wasn’t that bad” feeling. However, like any successful adventure, proper planning, preparation, and map checking are required before you set off. Employers will want to ensure that they are first aware of all the possible avenues for bringing into their workforce the great array of foreign-born talent out there, as well as the limitations, timing and potential roadblocks that exist within each avenue. Being aware of the realistic possibilities, limitations, and potential pathways beforehand will help ensure that precious hiring resources are not wasted and that both internal and external expectations are properly focused. Employers are more often than not surprised at how broad their hiring horizons can expand once they are aware of all the pathways that exist for allowing them to lawfully recruit and hire foreign-born talent. Employers will then want to develop a strategic plan for how to pursue this extensive pool of talent as well as develop an organizational culture that will be welcoming and supportive to those who may not know yet what the “Lambeau Leap” is or how to start a snow blower (hint: go with electric start—it really saves your back). Lastly, employers need to be prepared for the amazement they will feel once they see the exceptional contributions that foreign-born talent can bring to their workforce, as well as a little bit of chagrin for not having started this journey across the line sooner.