Foreword

Have no doubt, there’s a new type of candidate emerging on the global talent spectrum today. Gone are the days when you could put up a job posting and be guaranteed a bucket of résumés from qualified candidates. Nowadays, thanks to technology and the information economy, the top talent you desire is changing the rules of engagement. Let me introduce you to the sophisticated job seeker.

Studies show that 81 percent of all consumers now do research online before purchasing a product or service. Sophisticated job seekers are no different — they’re consumers of your employer brand. They want to know a lot about your company before applying to your positions. They like to interact with your recruiters to explore your potential as an employer. They prefer to take their time and study your reputation prior to making a move. They don’t bother with “old school” job boards. Instead, they create bucket lists of employers they admire and wait until the time is right to connect. This means your recruiting efforts must now go beyond the basics so you can earn the trust and respect of those you wish to hire. Therefore, to attract the best talent for your positions, you must be brave enough to ask:

Am I, and is my company, using the best recruiting practices?

In 2015 and beyond, remember this: Brand or be branded. How you recruit defines your company.

If your company isn’t bothering to proactively optimize its recruiting process for sophisticated job seekers, it could be sending one or more of these negative messages:

✓ We aren’t tech savvy enough to stay up with current recruiting trends.

✓ There’s nothing interesting or exciting about us as an employer.

✓ We’ve got something to hide.