May the Best Offer Win

Have you recently been wondering where your applicants have gone? What were once oversubscribed roles are increasingly challenging to fill. It turns out the pandemic is the gift that keeps on giving...

Before Christmas, the number of vacancies in the UK rose to an all-time high in all industries. There were over 1.2 million jobs available - an increase in nearly half a million vacancies from what we saw at the start of the pandemic according to the ONS. Recruiters will be relieved to hear that the rate of new vacancies is slowing down, but that doesn't mean our challenges have disappeared.

It's a candidate's market out there these days. It's not uncommon for candidates to find themselves deciding between multiple job offers. So, how and what are you offering that makes your business stand out?

Offering fairly and efficiently

Recruitment processes aren't always known for being the most efficient. They often have multiple stages and delays if you lose out on excellent candidates along the way. Hiring managers need to be committed and work hard to maintain a candidate's attention. In this market, you need to move quickly and give your best offer at the outset.

Loosening the purse strings

Now isn't the time to be thinking about how you can get a good deal with your new recruits. The ONS reported an average growth in total pay of 4.2% at the end of 2021. Perhaps it's time to consider the risk of increasing salaries versus your cost of missed opportunities. However, this increase will hit businesses that have struggled through the pandemic the hardest in their fight for talent.

Working from anywhere, any time

The pandemic triggered a shift toward remote and hybrid working. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay for good. Employees want to be in control of how they work. These days that's not only limited to where they work but also includes when they work.

Doing good in the world

Factors that candidates wouldn't have considered 5 or 10 years ago are now guiding decisions. It could be your gender pay gap report, your commitment to sustainability, or how you focus on your company values. Consider how you talk about these during the recruitment process. Having a clear focus on your corporate social responsibility (CSR) can make all the difference in attracting the right people for your business.

It's a difficult time for all those involved in the recruitment process. What's one thing you can change to ensure your offer stands out in a crowd?