Expanding Your Search

The job market is difficult to navigate for talented individuals. There are more job openings today than applicants, so where do you find the employees you need? Are you looking for new talent or are you searching the same sources? Let's take a closer look at that.

Older individuals

Unfortunately, ageism in the U.S. workforce is prevalent, but it doesn't have to be that way. Over the years, younger workers have been selected over older workers because they can be paid less or older workers are seen as overqualified. However, honing in on employees over 40 will give you an edge in the market as you gain years of experience on your team.

Second Chance Hires

Consider working with a second chance program to hire individuals who may have been overlooked by conventional companies. Second chance programs help people with criminal records find work in their local area. In 2017, Kroger implemented a program that provides second chances to talented individuals who have trouble finding work. After 18 months, the retention rate among these employees was much higher than the industry average.

New Graduates

Let's take a look at another advantageous market to tap into--recent graduates. They are likely to already be looking for new opportunities and could even be open to new ideas. Often, you can find individuals before they ever enter the job market. Work with colleges, universities, or trade schools to create education programs in your field. This is a great way to find talented employees before they graduate. If you offer a job right after graduation, they won't go looking elsewhere!

Individuals Returning After Gaps in Work History

A major job gap on a resume has long been considered a red flag. However, that has changed over the past few years. A person who has taken a break from their job to care for family is a valuable resource for new talent. For example, stay-at-home moms with previous experience in your field can be trained to quickly improve their skills and be up-to-date in the workplace.