continued: Employee Shortage in Rural Areas MORE SUGGESTIONS • Look at whether a person would “fit” in your bank and your community. Sometimes that is a good place to start. • If an applicant comes from out of town to interview, make their travel worth the time. Invite their spouse, if they are married. Take them to lunch at the local favorite restaurant, even if it is a local bar/pub that has a great lunch special. Tell them about housing prices and the town’s culture and community. • Always be on the hunt, even if a position isn’t open right at that moment.
You may have tried some or all of these ideas, so I may not have added anything to your bag of tricks. But, don’t stop trying things just because they did not work once. Hiring/recruiting should be assigned to one of the most optimistic people in the bank. The one who sees the best in the bank, the town, the people and the applicant! I think someone from a larger city would be surprised at the sense of community and purpose you can get from working at a smalltown bank. I see the difference every day as I work with you.
• Don’t turn someone away just because they can only commit for a set amount of time—maybe they intend on retiring in five years or they intend to leave the country for an extended “camper” tour in a few years. Plans change and it gives you time to continue your search, while filling the position now. • If someone sends in a resume, but you don’t have an opening, interview them anyway. The applicant will appreciate it and you might find that they fill a space you did not know you had. • If you are interviewing a minority applicant, answer any questions they have about community diversity honestly. Don’t set them up for surprises.
Kentucky Bar Foundation Recognizes Kentucky Banks The Kentucky Bar Foundation and Kentucky IOLTA fund are working with banks to pay over-market interest rates on IOLTA accounts. The interest on these accounts is used to provide funding for civil legal services for low-income individuals in our Commonwealth. Participation in this program may result in Community Reinvestment Act credit for participating banks. The IOLTA Board of Trustees appreciates the generosity of the following banks:
Gold Level (1% interest on IOLTA Accounts): Blue Grass Federal Savings & Loan Central Bank Citizens Bank – Mount Vernon Commercial Bank of West Liberty Community Financial Services Farmers Bank – Jessamine County First National Bank of Kentucky The Murray Bank First State Bank of the Southeast
Silver Level (.75% on IOLTA Accounts): Century Bank of KY, Inc. 12 | KENTUCKY BANKER MAGAZINE
If you are interested in participating in this program contact: Guion Johnstone email: gjohnstone@kybar.org
