Jeremy Tauri: What can you offer new staff?

Jeremy Tauri

Many New Zealand businesses are struggling to recruit enough people to fill jobs they have empty.

For most, it won't be quite so bad as the fruit-picking job recruitment drive in Hawke's Bay that resulted in just 14 people expressing interest in 350 registered vacancies.

But if you're trying to hire in construction, agriculture, IT and finance jobs, among others, you might have found few CVs coming across your desk.

As well as a growing economy and low unemployment rate putting pressure on the labour market, there is a trend away from traditional career structures.

Growing numbers of young people are no longer looking for a fulltime role but instead cobbling together a portfolio of contract positions and short-term roles that give them flexibility and experience.

So how, as a recruiter, can you navigate this new environment and stand out?

Pay isn't everything: Offer a competitive salary, but when it comes to motivation at work, you'll find that your best performers aren't those who are solely money driven. Think about what else you can offer.

Opportunities to progress: Is there a clear line of career development for people joining your organisation?

Can you guide them to higher positions within your own ranks, or set them up for a step to a bigger role in few years' time? You might be able to offer training opportunities to help people learn new skills — something that will benefit you both.

Offer flexibility: Depending on the nature of your work, you may be able to rethink some of the requirements of the position. Could it be done remotely, or on flexible hours? You might find you have access to a much wider pool of talent if you are willing to negotiate some of those factors.

Jeremy Tauri is an associate at Plus Chartered Accountants.