Hiring Talent

Hiring a Concern?

Learn What Talent Magnets Do

Here are the five most powerful keys to hiring the best people.

By Carol Bergeron ttracting top talent is a challenge. To be successful, try these strategies used by talent magnets — organizations that attract the best people time after time:

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To find answers, ask your employees.

The First Key: Create a Value Proposition

Knowing why employees want to be part of your organization is the first step to developing a compelling employee value proposition. Start by seeking answers to these questions: • Why do employees choose to join your organization? • Why do employees stay with your organization? • What do your employees get from their work experience that allows them to be and feel successful? • What do employees gain from their work that helps them thrive and grow? • What experiences have resulted in employees who are committed? • What environment provided by your organization encourages people to do good work? To find answers, ask your employees. Use the approaches that make the most sense for your organization, such as one-on-one casual conversation, focus groups, or surveys. The primary goal in asking these questions is to identify what your organization has going for it. What value do you provide, from the perspective of employees, that prompts them to join your organization and keeps them from leaving? The next goal is to recognize value that employees want but currently don’t get from your organization. Can you do something about the gaps? If so, then what’s stopping you? Your research will lead to many discoveries. While you’ll benefit from confirming what you thought to be true, expect surprises. For instance, responses may

September/October 2006

vary by employee group. Part-time employees may value different things than people nearing retirement. Look for trends common to your whole workforce and those common to specific segments. The data you collect won’t all point to compensation and...