Finding Winning Employees

With the low unemployment rate today, retailers are feeling the stress to keep qualified, motivated and happy employees.

The shrinking pool of available help for retail is taking its toll. Retailers of all sizes are struggling to find and hold enough sales staff to get the job done successfully. Think about finding more part-time staff, creating a job share program or adding creative work schedules to entice more quality applicants.

The impact of this vacuum in the labor market is that there are substantially fewer people available to work. With 250 million people in the US alone, why is there such a problem? There are a few major reasons. These include; a higher grown in retail chains and technology and other jobs offering higher pay. In addition, the smaller Gen X population is needed to service and sell to a largely populated Baby Boomer generation and the ever-increasing Gen Y population. The Gen Y generation (ages 1-20) is expected to meet or exceed the huge Boomer generation of over 73 million in the U.S. This accounts for a growing number of people to service and sell to. With this growing rate, consumers have had to unfortunately learn how to service and sell themselves to save time.

If you want to offer great 21st Century Service, you've just got to work harder to find quality members of your team today. Here are some helpful strategies that should help you find those winners.

Hiring Strategies for Creative Recruiting In The New Economy

• Post a sign highlighting your company benefits.
• Post a sign "Free $50. gift certificate for anyone that finds us the next winning member of our team" in your window.
• Create a brochure about you business and employee benefits.
• Post information on the back of your business card about hiring.
• Develop a bonus program for your staff to find new employees.
• Post help wanted information on your Web site.
• Post help wanted information at local colleges and/or high schools.
• Ask your customers if they know of anyone that would fit.
• Inform everyone you are looking: business associates, ups driver, accountant, business associates, etc.

Next page: Interview Strategies