73 Percent

More and more folks are using the Internet to find jobs according to a survey by The Conference Board. Of course this is something that we like to hear at Cool Works (tm) and we know it to be true because our clients find some great folks by using our website.

To read more about the The Conference Board's research, click here.

Currently on Cool Works (tm), the ski resort jobs are leading the charge paired with seasonal jobs in sunny climes like Florida. But, sooner that we all expect, summer jobs will be back again. Heck, we're half way to Halloween already. Where does the time go?

Retention = Re-Recruiting

You thought it was tough to find your employees in the first place, but lately it is getting tougher to keep them around. Recently on HR.BLR.Com, they posted an article citing Michael Jalbert, president of Management Recruiters International (www.mrinetwork.com), and he believes that bosses should think of retention as re-recruiting. See the full article here.

Some highlights:

• Spend some time reaching out to your employees and continue to challenge them.

• Bosses should assume that their best people are getting job offers from their competitors.

• Loyalty is a word that exists less and less in the business world.

• Periodically ask your employees some questions like the following to get a feel for whether or not they will stay with your company. Here are a few question examples from Michael Jalbert.

If you could make any changes to your job, what would they be?

In the morning, does your job make you jump out of bed or hit the snooze button?

What makes for a great day?

What can we do to support your career goals?

What can we do to keep you with us?

The key thing to remember is that your employees joined your team for a reason at the beginning of their employment. Keep finding ways to extend that relationship and never stop re-recruiting them.

Applicants are people too...

At this time of the year, it's likely that employers are seeking anybody to fill their jobs. There are a few types of applicants: those that plan ahead, those that plan way ahead and those that suddenly realize that "Wow. I guess summer is here and I need a job." You may even find people who didn't know that your job opportunity was just the thing that they weren't looking for. As a recruiter, you need to be savvy enough to address all of these types of people and remember that all of them want to be treated with respect, interest and just like a guest in your home, they want to feel cared for.

However, in the seasonal world I know it's tempting to stop recruiting the moment the season starts and when the off season arrives believe that it's time to take a break. But, in order to get the best candidates, not just those who can fog a mirror, it is imperative to always be a recruiter, all of the time. You never know when you might just find that perfect person to work at your lodge, camp, resort, ranch, etc. Good recruiters are recruiting all of the time.

Think of your own life. Doesn't it seem that when you are not necessarily looking for the love of your life, or the perfect job, or finding that place that you can call home, it finds you? Life is all about seeking opportunities and taking some risks, for in doing so you will find your reward.

Be good recruiters. Remember that paper or on-line applications represent people and they simply want to move their lives forward and have some adventures along the way. Don't dash their dreams by not acknowledging their interest. Be thankful. Say hi, write that email, give them a call that says "Thanks for applying!" Of course, you'll find people who aren't qualified for your jobs, but be nice about that too. Move them on to something that suits their skills better or advise them to acquire different skills so they can get that job in the future. Be brave enough to tell someone no. It's a whole lot nicer than letting them float in cyberspace wondering if their application got through in the first place. Be kind.

Successful recruiting campaigns are based upon and supported by recruiters who possess the following mindset. "Who can I meet today? Whose life am I going to change by providing an opportunity to work at my lodge, ranch, resort, etc.?"

Because really, isn't that how you would like to be treated?