In times of a shortage of skilled workers and changing working methods, recruiting employees has become a central challenge for companies. Especially in a hybrid work environment, which uses a combination of remote work and office presence, companies must develop innovative strategies to attract and retain qualified employees over the long term.
Key facts
- The hybrid work model helps attract new, innovative specialists.
- For example, just under 48% of a study answered that flexible working hours were their top priority.
- Attracting employees requires a strong corporate culture, a transparent recruiting process & attractive benefits.
Definition of employee recruitment
Employee recruitment is the process of recruiting and selecting suitable specialists for an organization. It is about identifying, approaching and attracting qualified employees to the company. This process is taking place due to the shortage of skilled workers and the associated War for Talents is becoming increasingly important in many companies.
In a hybrid working environment, employee recruitment requires a targeted focus on the needs of employees who are looking for flexibility and a balanced work-life balance.
What does a concept for effective employee recruitment look like?
A well-thought-out concept is required to successfully attract employees in a hybrid work environment. The concept should include the following elements:
- Employer branding: Strong employer branding is of great importance in order to appeal to potential employees. Companies should clearly define and communicate their employer brand in order to stand out from the competition.
- Target group-oriented approach: It is important to understand the target group of potential employees and to address them in a targeted manner. This can be achieved through personalized job advertisements, targeted social media marketing and a targeted presence on relevant career platforms.
- Transparent communication: Companies should communicate transparently about their work models, expectations and prospects. Potential employees must understand how the hybrid work environment in the company is structured and what opportunities are available to them. In any case, elements such as continuing education, personal expectations and team structures should be examined in more detail.
- Strong corporate culture: Why should potential applicants advertise in your company in particular? In order to be fully convincing, they should have an insight into the hybrid corporate culture from your company. In the application process itself, these can be team calls, for example, in which some team members interview applicants in a relaxed atmosphere.
Examples & measures for successful employee recruitment
If potential applicants are interested in your company, it is important to have compelling arguments ready.
Flexible working models
Companies can attract employees by offering flexible working models. Hybrid work According to many studies, it is considered a decisive factor for recruiting employees and employee retention. According to studies by OWL LABS Employees surveyed stated that job prospects would not accept a job if there were no flexible working hours (39%), no flexible place of work (26%) or the obligation to work full time in an office (26%). Flexibility is therefore a decisive factor for recruiting new employees.
Live the hybrid work model
Show job prospects that you're up to the hybrid working model Seriously mean. Many companies state in their job advertisements that they are hybrid, but then back out when things get serious. Show clearly how your culture and way of working are driven by the hybrid model. In job interviews, you can also make it clear that flexibility is important to you by showing that there is a clear culture of trust in the company.
The way you deal with the hybrid model is also an effective way to communicate with the outside world. Make it clear, for example, that it is important to you in the company that the exchange between colleagues takes place by creating a modern office concept or a Desk sharing software or a Collaboration tool introduced for organization in the office. The more specific, the better!
Attractive benefits
In addition to flexible working hours and locations, attractive additional benefits are another factor in attracting employees. Mobile work abroad is, for example, an attractive offer for companies that primarily want to appeal to younger generations. But additional services, such as company pension plans, payment of public transport tickets or budget for continuing education opportunities, also attract specialists. What sounds like high additional costs for companies is in many cases even compatible with German tax law. Advice from a tax advisor helps here.
Hybrid corporate culture
A positive corporate culture based on trust, openness and collaboration can attract employees and retain them in the long term. A pleasant working environment and a strong team spirit are crucial here. Even before applicants are in contact with the company itself, part of this culture must be openly visible. A typical means of self-expression here are smaller contributions about Team events or the culture on the website. Social media channels can also be a first point of contact for interested parties. Maintain these pages particularly intensively. But even within the application process, the culture must be clear.
Referral programs for new employees
Employees can be valuable ambassadors for the company and draw the attention of potential candidates to open positions. Companies can implement employee referral programs to encourage employees to suggest qualified candidates and reward them with bonuses or other incentives.
Recruiting and retaining employees in a hybrid working environment require a holistic strategy that addresses the needs of employees and at the same time takes into account the goals and requirements of the company. By addressing themselves in a targeted manner, strengthening the employer brand and creating an attractive working environment, companies can attract and retain qualified employees in the long term in order to improve their competitiveness, ability to innovate and to increase their success.
