Shop Talk

How to Hire Confidently

Today’s job market is plagued with uncertainty for job seekers and employers alike. (The 2024 Job Market: Navigating AI, Uncertainty And Opportunities) Employers are increasingly seeking new solutions to quell their wariness and regain their competitive edge. 

Forbes Councils Member, Tammy Homegardner, finds the silver lining in this uncertainty saying, 

“Uncertainty should not be synonymous with despair. Many people make this mistake, and it can be a very costly error. Instead, uncertainty should be perceived as an invitation to adapt, innovate and explore new horizons.” 

Accepting the Invitation 

As a recruiting company, we are no strangers to the volatility of the job market. Due to the nature of the industry we work in, one of the core values of our organization is being solution oriented. This means that every member of our team possesses an instinctively proactive approach to facing issues. 

We gladly accept this invitation to adapt and innovate to meet the demands of employers who want to remain competitive in today’s climate. 

Cue SearchStart

The concept of SearchStart was born out of nearly a decade of working in the industrial recruiting space and as a response to the demands of today’s job market. 

We’ve worked with many manufacturers over the years, each unique in their needs and resources relative to recruitment. Some clients fully outsource their recruitment process to us, while some engage us for a search or two. 

That’s where SearchStart comes in. We designed this service offering with the manufacturers who fall somewhere in the middle in mind—those who may not want or be able to commit to a full-scale recruiting engagement but still want some guidance to feel confident in their recruitment strategy. 

SearchStart is also intended to be cost-conscious because we believe that any manufacturer who wants to improve their hiring practices should have access to the resources to do so. 

So, what is SearchStart exactly? 

SearchStart is a program that equips you with the key information needed to launch a successful search, without committing to a typical recruiting engagement. Our seasoned team of recruiters will provide you with the key deliverables you need to go to market with your next search. 

Let’s dive into the four deliverables and how they increase your hiring confidence. 

1 – Profile(s) of the position 

A detailed profile of the requirements, responsibilities, and expectations of the role brings clarity to the recruitment process externally and internally. 

Externally, it contributes to the job description to accurately communicate a holistic view of the role to interested candidates. This mitigates the likelihood of attracting unqualified candidates, which can muddy the recruitment process. 

Internally, it brings a unified understanding of the function and expectations of the role to all stakeholders. 

This clear definition of the role increases your likelihood of capturing the attention of qualified candidates and communicates how the role will function to the rest of the organization. This clarity gives you the confidence that you are selecting a candidate who is prepared to succeed in their new role. 

2 – Job Description(s)

A well-crafted job description is a necessary element of your recruitment strategy. An effective job description utilizes the detailed profile of the position to provide full transparency to the candidates. This jump-starts the momentum of the search by managing expectations from the start.

It should also communicate your employee value proposition or EVP. An EVP is defined as, “a statement of the values, rewards, recognition, support, and company culture that an employer gives employees, enabling them to do their best work and achieve their highest potential.”

Having a job description that clearly communicates the expectations of the role and the company culture gives you the confidence that you are selecting a candidate who is a good fit, not just for the role, but for the organization.  

3 – Interview guide(s)

An effective interview process is key for securing the right hire the first time around. Having a defined process makes things run smoothly for the hiring team and puts your organization’s best foot forward for the candidates who are being considered. 

We use the information from the position profile to identify the behaviors and qualities the ideal candidate should embody. We then match those attributes to a list of 50 competencies to create a comprehensive interview guide. 

This guide provides a consistent framework for assessing candidates. A consistent framework improves hiring decisions by focusing on the most relevant competencies and skills. It also mitigates bias by ensuring all candidates are evaluated on the same criteria. 

This interview guide gives you confidence that you are not only complying with legal requirements but also facilitating a positive process for your team and the prospective candidates. 

4 – Compensation benchmarking 

Compensation benchmarking is crucial if you want to be competitive! The best way to attract (and retain) candidates is by offering wages and benefits aligned with your region and industry. 

Our team uses market research, industry data, and field expertise to compile a market price summary. Comprised of recommendations and considerations, this summary paints a clear picture of where your compensation should be. 

This data-backed approach gives you confidence that your job posting is competitive with similar listings. It also ensures that you are properly compensating your employees. Proper compensation increases employee retention, saving you time and money in the long run.


So, do you want the confidence to launch your next search? 

Contact our team today to learn more about how you can utilize SearchStart on a project or subscription basis.