Set Your Recruiting Vision for 2020

A new year provides an opportunity to set your vision for the future at home, in your career, and for your company. In your role as a recruiter or hiring manager, a cornerstone of that vision will be attracting and retaining top talent so your company can reach unprecedented levels of success.

To help you achieve this goal, HBS encourages you to put a positive spin on “Hindsight is 2020” as you look ahead with 2020 vision.

Hindsight is 2020

Reflecting back on this past year is a great way to move forward.

What challenges did your organization face in hiring in 2019? What has gone particularly well as you sought to attract and retain talent? What would help you move the needle in 2020 and make progress towards your organization’s goals?

Taking the time to evaluate missteps, wins, and future opportunities will help you set your vision and craft an action plan to achieve it.

Following Through on Your 2020 Vision

Now that you’re clear on what your pain points are and what you need to focus on, use these resources from HBS to help you achieve your recruiting goals in 2020.

Goal: Attract More Applicants

Take advantage of targeted outreach to increase the number of applications to your job postings.

• Access the Resume Databases free of charge to find candidates whose interests and experiences are a fit for your team. 
• Get the word out through relevant student clubs. There are over 50 career related clubs on campus; engage with club members through their newsletters, conferences, and by using the resume database.

Goal: Build a Strong Brand On-Campus through Remote Recruiting

If you do not have the budget or time for on-campus recruiting, you aren’t alone. The good news is there are many different ways you can connect with students without travel.

• Harness the power of virtual recruiting. Go beyond the traditional webinar to educate students about your company and opportunities by thinking creatively about how you can convey your message. 
• Invest in virtual communication tools. Build meaningful connections virtually using technology that is easy to access and promotes seamless conversations between recruiters and students.

Goal: Increase Yield

Consider resources available to increase your yield from offer to accept.

• Benchmark your salary and bonuses against your competitors in the industry with the latest salary statistics from HBS. 
• Consider other ways your company motivates employees and how that can be communicated in your recruiting process.
• Learn more strategies to “get to yes” based on a recent HBS research study focused on what matters most to students when evaluating job offers.

Goal: Build a More Diverse Team

Address the following challenges to create a diverse team with varying backgrounds and perspectives.

• Create an inclusive company culture: Create a company culture that encourages open communication and supports employees bringing their whole selves to work. 
• Combat bias in hiring and promotions: Incorporate strategies that prevent unconscious bias in hiring and retention to grow a team that values diversity over the long term. 
• Build a leadership pipeline: Be proactive about identifying talent and promoting their professional growth to create a diverse leadership team.

Goal: Partner With Our Office To Revisit Your Overall Strategy

Let us help you rethink your recruiting strategy and achieve your goals in 2020.

• Review Industry Specific Recommendations: The “Know Your Audience” series on the HBS Recruiting Blog highlights recruiting trends and strategies in various industries. More industries will be added to the blog in the coming weeks. 
• Partner with Us: The Career & Professional Development team at HBS is here to help you evaluate the effectiveness of your current strategy and recommend course corrections. There is no one size fits all approach to recruiting, and what worked well for your company five years ago may not work today. Contact our office to set up a strategy call with your industry specific recruiting team who can give you the expert guidance you need to attract and retain talent from HBS.

We look forward to working with you to achieve your 2020 vision in the year ahead!