Attracting Top Talent: WorkFair Experts Share Advice for Hiring in a Competitive Market
October 18, 2023WorkFair 2023 has officially started, connecting LGBTQ+ graduates and inclusive employers around the world. The global careers fair is pivotal in ensuring those entering the workforce are able to begin their careers with companies that are vocal in their support for the LGBTQ+ community. No one should be afraid to bring their whole self to the workplace, and everyone deserves to be accepted and celebrated wholly as they are – that's why many job seekers will no longer tolerate working for a company that isn't prioritizing diversity, inclusion and equity.
The online career fair taking place throughout the day is free to attend for LGBTQ+ students and graduates worldwide, giving them access to inclusive and LGBTQ+-friendly global organizations that are ready to hire today. On top of this, panels are being hosted by industry leaders and experts, with the Attracting Talent: Effective Hiring in a Competitive Market kicking off the event. The one-hour session, sponsored by Linklaters and HCA Healthcare, dived into discussing how companies can ensure they are getting the best out of their new hires.
Hosted by Harriet Lunney, Senior Customer Success Manager at myGwork, the event covered employer branding, inclusive recruitment techniques, leveraging digital platforms, and crafting compelling narratives to resonate with diverse skill sets. Speakers Paul Casey, Talent Attraction Specialist at HCA Healthcare, Pavandeep Mann, University Programs Manager at Parexel, Charlotte Steggall, Global Employer Brand Manager at WTW, Harsha Bhosale, JAPAC Diversity Recruiting Leader at Oracle and Frankie Dadzie, Leading Early Careers Recruitment Marketing & Attraction at Linklaters shared their views on how companies can make their hiring process as inclusive as possible.
"I don't just believe that inclusion is a trend," Harsha Bhosale noted, "But it is a much-needed elevation of perspective that all of us as individuals need to intentionally have. It is not just a good thing to do, but if you want to stay ahead of the competition today, you need to be an inclusive workplace. In any industry, it's the best thing you can do."
When it comes to ensuring the hiring process is inclusive, Paul Casey advised that a focus on education and training is crucial. "Make sure that it's a fair and equitable process so that everyone has the same opportunities throughout regardless of their background or circumstance," he added. "For me, that begins right the way from where you put your adverts right the way through to the interviews at the end."
Pavandeep Mann emphasized the importance of retaining talent by ensuring your workplace is welcoming. She also wanted people to remember what it's like to be new on the job – you won't know everything yet, and that's okay. It's essential companies foster a culture where people aren't afraid to make mistakes or ask questions.
"Create an honest environment where everyone feels that it's okay to make mistakes and it's okay to learn from them," she said. "Allow for a safe space where people can ask questions, continue to learn, and really polish themselves throughout their career."
The importance of ethics and data was also highlighted. Charlotte Steggall made a critical point that if a company is going to ask for data, they have a responsibility to explain clearly how that data will be used and who will see it. When it came to employer branding, she encouraged companies to lead with authenticity: "For me, it's all about being true to yourself in your branding - people want to see you being authentic."
Social media was also a topic that panelists were keen to dive into. Frankie Dadzie made the important point that Gen Z are very proactive in researching a company to find out where they stand on diversity and inclusion. Adding onto this she noted that you can't afford to not be present on social media if you want to attract skilled graduates. "Young people are able to trust employers more when they are making active efforts to connect with them," she noted.
In today's competitive landscape, finding the right individuals to drive your organization forward is crucial. Companies must focus on effective hiring because it plays a pivotal role in their success. Hiring the right candidates can boost productivity, improve employee morale, enhance innovation, and lead to long-term growth. In a competitive market where top talent is in high demand, companies must take specific measures to find and keep the best candidates.
Overall, effective hiring practices, encompassing attraction and retention strategies, are essential for companies in a competitive market. By prioritizing inclusion businesses can find and keep the very best candidates, which can ultimately lead to their continued success and growth. When it comes to fostering inclusion, Harsha Bhosale left the audience with an important final thought: it's not just words that are important, but actions.