Nobody likes searching for things. It’s frustrating, right? Besides, there are typically consequences when you can’t find what you’re looking for, like being late for work when you can’t find your keys, or getting lost when you’re searching for an address to no avail (darn GPS!).
Well, searching for the right candidate for a job can be just as frustrating and when you’re unable to find qualified employees, the consequences can seriously impact your business. Like Velma always searching for her glasses in Scooby-doo, bad things are bound to happen if the search goes on too long and falls short of successful.
In the manufacturing sector, this is no laughing matter, and in fact, has become a major area of concern. The manufacturing industry continues to struggle with finding skilled workers who can fill job openings left behind by a retiring baby boomer generation. The struggle is most definitely real, however, manufacturers take heart. While we may not be able to help you find your keys or get you where you’re going, we can steer you in the right direction toward finding skilled labor with marketing solutions like these:
Update Your Website
Your online presence is a big deal when it comes to attracting job-seeking millennials to your company. Outdated sites make for bad first impressions, and most tech-savvy candidates won’t stick around for you to redeem yourself. More than just having a visually modern design, your site needs to be user, mobile, and search engine friendly, and in sync with the latest industry trends.
Participate in Job Fairs and Tradeshows
There are likely perfect candidates out there that simply can’t get away for an interview, especially the hard-working nose-to-the-grindstone types you’d love to have on your team! Give them the opportunity to see what you’re all about outside of your normal work hours and facility.
Beef Up or Kick Start a Referral Program
You have the opportunity to take advantage of a powerful group of influencers — your own employees! Give them incentives to help in your search. While you’re at it, connect with area high schools, trade and vocational schools to see if they can refer students for apprenticeships or internships. Marketing to these groups can really pay off in the long run.
Spotlight Success Stories
Testimonial videos of happy employees on your website and shared on social media can be very impactful. People love to get to know your business and the people with whom they would potentially be working. This is also a great chance to sell your culture and let people know what it’s really like to work at your company.
Put a Strategy in Place
When you have a plan, it’s easier to stay the course. Make a goal to focus on attracting skilled labor, then map out what marketing tactics you’ll use to reach that goal. From website updates and trade show booths, to social media marketing and email campaigns targeting schools, a marketing plan can go a long way toward narrowing the skills gap.
Yes, it’s a lot of work, but just like the satisfying silence after finding the baby’s pacifier, when you do all the right things to find the right employee for your manufacturing business, you will be rewarded, relieved, and definitely have reason to celebrate.
If you need help with any of this stuff, remember: Revel specializes in manufacturing marketing that gets results (like finding skilled workers in addition to leads). Give us a call! Here’s the number…you know, so you don’t have to search. 231-727-9778.
