Why You Should Always Be Hiring

What do you think of when you hear the word hire? Do you think of job postings on LinkedIn? Or someone turning in their two-week notice? Maybe you think of growing a team and thriving business.  

Hiring is a rather reactive part of business for many leaders. In this blog, I am going to explain why it’s important to always be hiring and take a proactive approach to team growth. 

“Always be hiring” doesn’t mean interviewing candidates year-round, but rather it involves a shift in mindset. It means thinking of yourself and your entire team as both a recruiter and an ambassador for your business, even when you are outside of your office. It also means assessing your current team, actively networking, and thinking about your sourcing needs long before an employee is moving onto a new opportunity. 

Here is what I mean by the “always hiring” mindset. 

Know what your team is missing 

It’s natural to turn your attention to more pressing matters when you’re fully staffed and happy with the size and talent of your team. Even if you are completely staffed, keep in mind that there is always room for improvement. Once an employee announces they are leaving or the need to add more talent arises, it’s time to perform a thoughtful evaluation of your team and the specific needs of the position you need to fill. 

Don’t forget to evaluate soft skills that might help create a more harmonious workplace and make sure that your candidates are a good fit for your company culture. Knowing the qualities your team is currently lacking before you begin looking can get you one step closer to filling those dream team spots that open up. 

Always be networking 

I am a firm believer that good people know good people, so you should always be focused on growing your network in any way you can. Stay in touch when you meet professionals who you might hire or who may know someone looking for a good job. The fact of the matter is, you might find your perfect hire through chance rather than traditional channels, but only if you and those who work for you are in an “always be hiring” mindset.

Speak highly of your business 

We’ve all found ourselves frustrated with work once or twice, that’s normal. But it’s important to speak well of your work environment in public, highlighting not only what makes your business the best, but what makes you and your team great people to work with. When you’re a good ambassador for your business, you will attract great talent. 

The always-hiring mindset means being proactive, not reactive. When you take a proactive mindset toward hiring, you’ll find yourself with a long list of possible candidates long before posting the open position online. Plus, as a leader, you’ll have a better idea of who your business needs next for successful growth.