Good talent is hard to find

Is your business struggling to find the perfect person for a role? Are you staring at a stack of CVs that have failed to hit the mark? You are not alone.

A recent survey by Manpower Group found that 41 per cent of employers have a hard time filling jobs. Among the most difficult jobs to fill are skilled trades, engineers, sales representatives, accounting and finance staff and management/executives. A lack of available applicants, limited experience and technical competencies are all factors that play into this difficulty. Employers need to find new innovative ways to unlock the potential in candidates and retain good staff.

A shortfall of good talent in a workplace was found to reduce competitiveness and productivity and lower employee morale. More than half of the employers who are struggling to find good staff say that this has an impact on their ability to meet client needs.

John Bersin, principal and founder of Bersin by Deloitte, last year predicted that 2014 will be the Year of the Employee. Retention, engagement and attracting talent are issues employers may face. Employers should create meaningful, rewarding and enjoyable work experiences for staff. A study by the Institute of Leadership and Management of more than 1,000 workers found that a manager’s behaviour towards employees was more of a motivating factor than monetary rewards. Four out of five of the top motivational factors for employee motivation were intrinsic rewards: job satisfaction, good workmates, treatment by manager and control of own work.

So what can be done to find the diamond in the rough? To respond to the shortage employers reported adopting non-traditional People Practices such as enhancing benefits, increasing starting salaries, offering additional training and providing clear career development. HRIS software can help organisations develop training systems that build on the strength of the workforce, foster loyalty in employees and provide continuous learning.