Throughout my extensive 20+ year career in talent acquisition, I have witnessed the dynamic shifts of the job market, from client-favoured to candidate-favoured conditions and back again. Hiring managers have consistently pursued the best candidates in their relentless quest for excellence. However, the pursuit of the "best of the best" might not always be the most effective approach. In this blog, I aim to shed light on how we might be unintentionally filtering out exceptional talent and missing out on incredible opportunities.
Imposter Syndrome and Inexperience: A Barrier to Potential
The current approach to job advertisements often mirrors the experience of the departing incumbent, leading to unrealistically lengthy lists of requirements. This can deter highly capable candidates, particularly women, who may not apply if they don't check every box. Imposter syndrome, more prevalent among women, can undermine confidence and hinder them from recognising their full potential. Moreover, inexperience within recruitment teams may lead to misjudgements when sieving through resumes, potentially overlooking hidden talents.
" Imposter syndrome, more prevalent among women, can undermine confidence and hinder them from recognising their full potential"
Education and Standardized Job Titles: Redefining Criteria
The emphasis on formal education levels in job criteria can automatically screen out and reject exceptional candidates who possess invaluable experience but lack a specific degree or masters. Standardised job titles on platforms like LinkedIn can cause headhunters to miss out on highly skilled individuals who use their unique workplace-given titles. A more open-minded approach to education and embracing diverse job titles can lead to the discovery of hidden gems.
Embracing Cross-Border Opportunities and Remote Work
The global landscape provides a vast talent pool beyond borders, yet automated filtering may unintentionally reject potential hires due to their location. With remote work becoming more prevalent, companies need to re-evaluate whether physical presence in the office is necessary for all roles. Overlooking cross-border and remote opportunities can lead to missing out on exceptional talent, especially in the age of post-pandemic flexibility.
LinkedIn: Your Credibility and Team Building Platform
Your LinkedIn presence serves as a valuable tool to showcase your expertise and build credibility even before project kick-off. As a project manager or entrepreneur, fostering a strong LinkedIn network enables you to connect with potential team members and validate their interest in genuine opportunities with your company. Reaching out personally as senior managers can enhance credibility and demonstrate the authenticity of the opportunity presented.
"Your LinkedIn presence serves as a valuable tool to showcase your expertise and build credibility even before project kick-off."
Conclusion
In the art and science of project resourcing, it is vital to re-evaluate traditional approaches and embrace innovation without over-reliance on automation. By challenging conventional hiring practices, valuing experience over strict education criteria, and embracing cross-border and remote work opportunities, we can unlock untapped potential and discover extraordinary talent. Leveraging the power of LinkedIn as a team-building and credibility-building platform can further strengthen our ability to attract top-tier candidates and cultivate collaborative success. Embrace change, rethink your hiring strategies, and embark on a journey of unlocking unparalleled potential for your projects and ventures.
Rachael Milne possesses a wealth of expertise in the art of resource attraction, optimization, and allocation, spanning a diverse spectrum of industries. Her adept utilization of strategic planning ensures the streamlined allocation of resources, ultimately culminating in heightened productivity and enhanced profitability. Rachael's professional journey includes invaluable experience in start-up ventures, where she has demonstrated exceptional skills in high-volume recruitment and scaling up workforce operations.
If you would like to know more about how she can help you with your resourcing strategies, please arrange a call with her here.
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