As one of the leading recruiting firms in the Gulf Coast Area, ExecuTeam knows that too many times, employers lose a key person and then rush to fill the position. But effective staffing stems from being proactive, rather than reactive. In order to get ahead of the game, you need to create a strategic staffing plan that helps you determine optimal staffing levels, project talent supply, and identify skill gaps. When you do, you’ll be better able to respond to company-wide staffing needs.
To improve your staffing results in 2016 – and beyond – here are some tips to keep in mind when creating your strategic staffing plan:
Take a proactive approach.
Scrambling to fill an open seat is never fun. Try to keep these kinds of situations to a minimum by taking a more proactive approach to staffing. For instance, ask yourself questions such as:
- Where will the company be in six months? A year? Five years?
- What kinds of skills sets will we need to achieve those goals?
- Where should I be looking to identify candidates with those abilities?
Once you know the answers to those questions, you can start networking to connect and build relationships with those who might be a good fit for your company, whether today or in the future. When you have a robust talent pipeline in place, hiring becomes a whole lot easier.
Determine your staffing needs and objectives.
When an employee does quit and you need to fill a position, make sure you have a clear understanding of the job beyond the tasks and responsibilities. For instance, what are the goals and expectations for the person in this position? How will their success be measured? And what skills does your ideal candidate need to have?
If you’re not sure, talk to your current employees and the manager of the department you’re hiring for to ask about essential skills and personality traits. When you have this information in hand, you’ll be able to write a far more effective job description, better source candidates, and properly vet them.
Partner with a reputable staffing agency.
Staffing agencies specialize in building relationships with both active and passive candidates. They can also help you supplement your core staff with temporary employees if demand fluctuates throughout the year. In addition, they can work to understand your “big picture” staffing needs, as well as the nuances of your company and industry, and develop a strategic staffing plan that enables you to meet your objectives.
Creating a strategic staffing plan takes time and effort. But when you have a solid plan in place, you’ll be far more effective in identifying and overcoming staffing challenges – both today and in the future, as well as ensuring you have the people you need, where and when you need them.
Interested in learning more about how a staffing agency can help your company? Contact the recruiting team at ExecuTeam Staffing. As the leading recruiting firm serving the Houston and Gulf Coast region, we have the expertise and talent pools to help you find and hire the perfect staff in 2016. Contact us today to learn more!