Elzette Fourie Creative Solutions

12/09/2024

What strategies are you exploring to attract and retain talent in today's competitive job market?

Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel remains a challenge for HR departments, often becoming a costly and time-consuming process.

This article highlights how digital marketing tools can transform recruitment efforts by enhancing reach and efficiency, from optimising job postings with SEO to utilising targeted social media advertising.

Additionally, practices like employer branding, storytelling, and employee advocacy play crucial roles in engaging candidates and existing employees alike.

Digital marketing strategies for retention are crucial, they help build relationships with current employees, increase loyalty, and lot more.

10/09/2024

How do we ensure that our digital content is inclusive for everyone?

Ali English from Social-Hire says that around 1 in 5 people in the UK live with a disability, yet less than half of public sector websites meet basic accessibility standards.

This gap highlights the importance of adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in our marketing efforts.

By prioritising accessibility, we not only comply with legal obligations but also enhance our audience reach.

Let's consider simple ways to make our social media content more accessible, demonstrating our commitment to inclusivity.

I highly recommend reading this article.

According to the UK Government Digital Service (GDS), around 1 in 5 people in the UK have a disabi...

05/09/2024

Are you facing challenges in attracting the right talent amidst a competitive hiring landscape?

As highlighted in an article by Lever, engaging qualified candidates during a talent shortage can be tough, especially for scaling businesses.

One significant aspect to consider is building a robust employer brand from the beginning. This not only communicates your company culture and values but also presents a seamless hiring process.

Implementing automated sourcing tools can streamline your efforts, allowing you to engage with candidates faster and more efficiently. Moreover, enhancing the candidate experience can lead to better retention rates and foster referrals.

Learn how to engage qualified candidates from the start. Here are some tips to help you engage candidates faster and support your growing business.

03/09/2024

What qualities do you think truly make a great sourcer in today's recruitment landscape?

This article by Johnny Campbell on Social Talent resonates deeply with this question. Glen Cathey's contributions to LinkedIn’s Talent Blog provide valuable insights into sourcing in the age of AI.

He highlights that, while AI can generate impressive Boolean strings, it’s the ability to apply critical thinking and pattern recognition that differentiates successful sourcers from the crowd.

For instance, instead of relying solely on industry synonyms, effective sourcers pay attention to the companies candidates come from, which often reveal more about their expertise.

Is AI taking over the role or sourcing or is there room for the human? Johnny Campbell examines this hot topic in his latest newsletter.

29/08/2024

How does your organisation attract top talent when hiring at scale?

High-volume hiring can feel like a substantial challenge, with the pressure to fill hundreds, if not thousands, of positions each month.

A robust and agile Recruitment Marketing strategy is essential, allowing teams to effectively engage a large pool of quality candidates and streamline the hiring process—all within budget.

Key takeaways from this article includes understanding your audience, crafting authentic messages, leveraging digital marketing channels, and optimising the recruitment process. These strategies form a reliable blueprint to not only meet but also anticipate the organisation's evolving needs.

High-volume hiring can feel overwhelming, but with the right Recruitment Marketing strategies you can attract, engage and hire top talent efficiently. Discover expert insights and actionable tips from industry leaders to fill your pipeline faster.

27/08/2024

How well does your commission plan align with the actual performance of your team?

In the recruitment sector, compensation structures can significantly impact productivity, team morale, and overall business success.

Greg Savage highlights in his article the complexities businesses face when designing these plans, noting that what looks like a generous commission scheme may not provide the necessary support to achieve key performance goals.

He shares valuable insights, including the importance of aligning rewards with company culture and being cautious of overly complicated structures that may breed distrust among recruiters.

The way recruiters are paid has been a fraught topic forever. Plenty of business owners struggle with recruiter productivity. Plenty of recruiters struggle under schemes they feel are unfair, cumbersome or just miserly. Bonus and commission schemes have been lauded for motivating teams and criticise...

22/08/2024

What do you think influences the salary range you see in job postings?

Many of us have faced that nerve-wracking moment when the offer letter arrives, only to realise the figure falls close to the bottom of a wide pay range.

In a recent article by Kat Kibben, it’s highlighted that not negotiating your salary can have a lasting impact on your career earnings—potentially risking a staggering $600,000 over 40 years!

Negotiating may seem daunting, but remember, it's all about understanding your value.

Read their full article here:

How do you calculate a salary range on job posts? Info every practitioner and candidate needs to understand.

20/08/2024

What role do you think social media and AI play in modern recruitment strategies?

This article by Lori Sylvia from Rally Recruitment Marketing highlights a significant shift in how companies are approaching talent acquisition.

The recent Social Recruiting Rally revealed that data-driven content strategies can enhance engagement rates significantly, showcasing the importance of evolving our approaches to attract top talent.

Discover how the most effective social media strategies based on data and AI are transforming recruiting in 2024. Learn key insights from our Social Recruiting Rally to boost your talent attraction and engagement efforts.

15/08/2024

Are you aware of the impact that language can have on your recruitment efforts?

In this Rally Recruitment Marketing article by Lori Sylvia, she talks about certain keywords used in social media posts that can significantly influence your reach and engagement with potential candidates.

By focusing on what truly resonates with your audience and steering clear of specific terms that may be perceived as low-value, you can enhance your social recruiting strategy across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Unlock the secrets to reaching more talent through social media. Discover the data-driven social recruiting strategies that will help you capture candidates' attention and boost your talent audience on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

13/08/2024

Is it important to consider the impact of what we share on professional platforms? In a recent article by Katrina Collier, she highlights a troubling post on LinkedIn from a recruitment agency director, which employed a sexist image to attract attention.

While the post garnered a significant number of reactions, it raises critical questions about professional decorum and the consequences of objectifying individuals in our communications.

Given that the recruitment profession plays a pivotal role in shaping careers and lives, it’s essential to reflect on how our actions align with our values and the message we want to convey.

It is 2024. The patriarchy is falling.

08/08/2024

What if the key to enhancing company culture lies in a game?
In this article we learn how immersive experiences are finding their way into corporate settings. These experiences can foster genuine connections among employees, making virtual interactions more engaging and memorable.

Rather than the traditional meetings, companies are leveraging immersive games to promote teamwork and improve safety training while creating a sense of belonging.

As many as 66% of remote employees cite relationships with colleagues as crucial to their decision to stay with a company.

How could your organisation harness this trend to strengthen bonds and improve retention?

Recruitment and immersive experiences are both about standing out from the crowd and making people feel some sort of connection to the environment.

06/08/2024

What aspects of onboarding do you think have the biggest impact on a new hire's success?
This article by Eva Wedman Baluchova highlight the significance of the first week in shaping a new employee's experience.

A structured onboarding process not only fosters positive first impressions but also clarifies roles and encourages social integration within the team. When new hires feel welcomed, informed, and prepared, they are more likely to engage and contribute effectively from the outset.

However, it’s crucial to avoid pitfalls such as overwhelming them with too much information or neglecting their social integration.

Thoughtful integration can lead to a successful and satisfying tenure at the organisation.

The first week of onboarding is a critical period for new hires. It sets the tone for their entire tenure with the company and can significantly impact their integration, engagement, and overall job satisfaction.

01/08/2024

Is it realistic to expect recruiters to achieve more with fewer resources? While the idea may initially feel frustrating, it’s becoming increasingly common across various industries.

As highlighted in an article by Social Talent, recruiters are increasingly faced with the challenge of sustaining productivity while working with smaller teams.

This transition isn’t merely a hurdle but rather a significant shift in talent acquisition paradigms. Embracing AI tools can provide critical efficiencies in the hiring process, but it requires a mindset change and a focus on cultivating high-performance teams that innovate and adapt.

Recruiting is going through a moment of transformation and according to Johnny, one of the outcomes is that TA will have to get used to doing more with less.

30/07/2024

What factors are shaping the recruitment process for leaders in 2024? According to Charlotte Sachs in her article on Talent.com, understanding the modern candidate, investing in employer branding, simplifying the application process, and leveraging data and AI are key strategies for attracting top talent.

Today's job seekers have higher expectations and want transparency in job descriptions, including details about remote work arrangements.

A clear employer brand can also communicate your company’s values and foster a positive perception among potential candidates.

Moreover, streamlining the application process shows respect for their time, making it easier for them to apply.

Learn 2024 recruitment strategies: understand candidates, enhance employer branding, simplify applications, and leverage AI for top talent acquisition.

25/07/2024

Are we truly meeting the expectations of today's job seekers? This article by Joel Valentincic on Recruitics highlights a significant shift in candidate preferences, emphasising the importance of salary transparency in job descriptions.

According to a Gartner survey, nearly 44% of applicants skip job postings that lack salary information, opting instead for companies that openly share compensation details.

This trend not only helps attract a larger pool of candidates but also fosters a trustworthy employer brand.

By embracing this transparency, you can enhance our hiring processes and build a culture of openness.

Discover the benefits of including salary ranges in job descriptions and how pay transparency can enhance your employer brand and attract top talent.

23/07/2024

How many interviews should a candidate reasonably expect to endure in today’s job market?
In this article by Suky Sodhi, a Senior Vice President of Sales at a tech startup described their exhausting experience: multiple rounds of interviews and six required references, each needing to spend 30 minutes on a call, all before an offer was even discussed. Is this excessive? Absolutely.

This lengthy process not only disrespects the candidate's time but also signals deeper issues within the hiring company, such as a lack of trust in their selection process and unclear candidate requirements.

The job market can be a minefield for both candidates and employers. But when a Senior Vice President of Sales in the tech/SaaS startup space recently reached out to me about their experience, it highlighted a critical issue that many talented professionals face today.

18/07/2024

Are you fostering a psychologically safe work environment within your organisation? According to Akeshia Clarke from Reed, creating a psychologically safe space for employees is paramount for building a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Psychological safety allows team members to express themselves without fear of negative consequences, leading to happier teams, increased productivity, and improved wellbeing.

Surprisingly, a recent survey highlighted that only 28% of hiring managers feel their workplace is psychologically safe, indicating room for improvement.

Read the full article here:

Here are five ways you can create and maintain a psychologically safe work environment that supports your business's success and hiring strategy.

16/07/2024

Have you considered how essential a smooth offboarding process is for your organisation? According to an article by UK Recruiter, a thoughtful offboarding can help maintain positive relations with departing employees, protect your company's assets, and gather invaluable feedback.

Offboarding isn't just a box-ticking exercise—it's an opportunity to ensure a smooth transition, prevent legal risks, and even turn former employees into valuable alumni. Clear communication, structured knowledge transfer, and comprehensive checklists are all crucial components to make this process effective.

There comes a time when an employee opts not to push through with their work anymore and decides to leave the company. The organization must offboard them appropriately and not just let them walk away. Offboarding is more than just a formality—it’s an opportunity to maintain a positive relations...

11/07/2024

Katrina Collier's article, "5 Non-AI Time-Saving Microactions for Recruiters," offers an insightful break from the AI frenzy.

From establishing effective recruitment alignment meetings to appreciating managers genuinely, Katrina shares simple yet powerful strategies to save time without diving into AI solutions. I found her practical tips both refreshing and empowering.

What if you don't need an AI solution to save time? What if recruiters could save time right now with only minor changes in behaviour? 🤔 ⏳

09/07/2024

Have you faced challenges in recruitment and wondered what you might be overlooking? In an article by Greg Savage, he shares his top 10 biggest mistakes as a recruiter.

From making assumptions and not qualifying job orders to poor listening skills and mismanaging counteroffers, Savage’s candid reflections offer invaluable lessons.

He admits that these errors cost him significant stress, time, unhappy customers, and money, but they also served as critical stepping stones for improvement.

Learn how to avoid these common pitfalls, making your own recruitment path smoother and more effective.

The mistakes I made as a recruiter were plentiful and varied. They cost me a great deal in terms of stress, time, unhappy customers, and money. But I still value them as they were the stepping stones to improvement. At my ‘height,’ I was a good recruiter—not a great one, you understand—just ...

04/07/2024

Are you looking to enhance your recruiting strategy with cutting-edge tools? Vanessa Raath recently shared this comprehensive toolkit called “100 Best AI Tools for Recruiters [2024 Edition]”.

This article makes it easy to filter and find exactly what you need for your specific tasks. The selection spans over 40 categories, detailing each tool's name, link, primary functions, key features, platform, integrations, and pricing information.

Discover the top 100 AI tools for recruiters in 2024. Enhance your recruitment process with cutting-edge technology. Get the full guide now!

02/07/2024

What's the real impact of workplace harassment on your colleagues?

This article I wrote, highlights a harrowing reality faced by many in the workplace: sexual harassment. The lasting effects of such experiences are not just statistical; they represent real people suffering from unwanted advances, inappropriate comments, and hostile work environments.

Statistics from various sources reveal that 30% of women and 18% of men have faced unwanted sexual advances at work, with 75% of cases going unreported.

Read this article to see how employers and recruiters can ensure a safe and inclusive workspace.

While living and working in London in the early 2000s, I encountered a workplace that left a lasting impact on me – and not in a good way. On my first day, the employee I was replacing handed me a slip of paper with her number, whispering, "You'll know when to use it.

27/06/2024

Are you struggling to find the right questions to ask during an interview? An effective interview process is crucial in securing the best professionals for your team, yet it can often feel overwhelming.

According to an article by Hannah Abraham published in Reed, 59% of hiring managers wished they had asked more or different questions after the interview was over. This highlights the importance of preparing a comprehensive list of questions that truly cover all the essential aspects of the role and company culture.

In the article, Abraham suggests ten crucial questions that you might regret not asking, such as, "What are you most passionate about in your career?" and "How do you handle feedback and criticism?" These questions aim to gauge a candidate's fit, values, and adaptability, ensuring you make informed hiring decisions.

Have you experienced similar challenges in your hiring process?

These ten interview questions will ensure you discover everything you need to know about a candidate's skills and motivations.

25/06/2024

Are you contemplating the best approach to setting up your recruitment agency for success? Erika Clifford, Managing Director of Just Recruit, offers valuable lessons from her experience growing a multi-award winning recruitment agency.

In her article, Erika emphasises the importance of asking for what you need and not overinvesting in your website. According to Erika, "If you don’t ask, you don’t get." This principle applies to everything from discounts to mentorship, and even better terms in business dealings.

Erika’s guidance doesn’t stop there; she also suggests invoicing on written acceptance instead of start dates to improve cash flow, ensuring you have a CRM from the beginning, and celebrating every milestone in your entrepreneurial journey.

This is a great article, with some top tips from Erika Clifford, Managing Director of Just Recruit. I learnt some incredible lessons setting up and growing a multi-award winning recruitment agency to a headcount of thirty. Many of these lessons were learnt the hard way which can often be the best wa...

20/06/2024

Are you utilising the right hiring channels to maximise your recruitment efforts? In an article by Matthew Cuvala for Findem, several key points were highlighted to help organisations assess their channels effectively.

It’s crucial to examine your hiring over the past year and identify which channels are bringing in the most pipeline. Leveraging a free ROI calculator can assist in evaluating these channels.

Ever thought about the role that AI might play in this? Cuvala emphasises the need to understand how vendors utilise AI to enhance data accuracy and user experience.

This requires thorough testing, training, and development of AI processes. One bold question to ask your vendor could be, “What learnings have you had when first rolling out your AI product?”

Additionally, the article discusses the importance of platforms that provide continuous updates and enrichment of candidate profiles from diverse sources. Findem, for example, refreshes profiles using data from over 100,000 sources.

Six questions to ask vendors who promise the latest and greatest innovations with AI. Bring the potential of AI to the recruiting tech stack today.

18/06/2024

Are you curious about how many candidates you should interview for a job? According to an article by Hired, organisations are increasingly interviewing more candidates per role than they did a year ago.

Their survey, which included over 250 professionals in tech hiring, revealed that 68% are now interviewing more candidates for each position. Factors like job complexity, candidate availability, and the all-important 'quality of hire' metric are driving this trend.

The insights highlights the importance of a flexible and balanced interview strategy to ensure you find the best match for your team. Do you agree with interviewing more candidates to secure the right hire?

13/06/2024

Is your organisation feeling the impact of employee turnover? According to an article by Hannah Abraham for Reed, employee turnover can be a significant challenge, leading to increased recruitment costs and disruption in team dynamics.

Interestingly, Reed's research reveals that over a quarter (26%) of businesses are currently hiring to mitigate the effects of turnover. The article suggests four key ways to improve staff retention, including enhancing compensation and benefits, promoting work-life balance, fostering a positive work culture, and remaining flexible to employees' needs.

Reed's research underscores the importance of competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits to retain top talent.

Employee turnover is a significant challenge and cost to employers. In this article, we explore four key ways to improve staff retention.

11/06/2024

What’s stopping your recruitment agency from maximising its website’s potential?
This article by UK Recruiter sheds light on why every recruitment website should have a jobs page.

The article outlines several compelling reasons, like enhancing your return on investment and boosting brand awareness.

Interestingly, data from Wave’s Candidate Attraction Playbook reveals that although only 12% of jobs are posted on recruitment websites, these jobs receive 16% of all applications. It’s fascinating to think about the untapped potential here.

The article also highlights the importance of capturing candidate details directly on your website. This way, you build a unique talent pool instead of relying solely on shared job board databases.

Plus, offering a positive candidate experience on your site can significantly reduce drop-off rates, enhancing the likelihood of successful placements.

Data from Wave’s Candidate Attraction Playbook has shown that job boards continue to dominate when it comes to job posting percentages. However, as a cost-free and hugely beneficial option, Wave’s Emily Buckley details why posting jobs to your website should be common practice as part of your ov...

06/06/2024

Do you find it challenging to have conversations about improving an employee's performance? This article by Jenny Fernandez in the Harvard Business Review sheds light on how to approach these difficult discussions with preparation, empathy, and a collaborative mindset.

One key takeaway is the importance of treating these conversations not as fault-finding missions, but as opportunities to work together towards shared growth and development.

What strategies have you found effective in fostering collaboration during performance discussions?

Approaching a conversation about improving an employee’s performance requires preparation, empathy, and a focus on collaboration. Even though hearing the truth about their current performance will be tough and potentially hurtful, it’s a teaching moment managers must embrace to help them become ...

04/06/2024

Have you noticed the difference between a genuinely optimistic boss and one practicing toxic positivity? In a Harvard Business Review article, Mita Mallick discusses how some managers believe that merely acting happy or thinking positively can change outcomes, even in stressful or difficult situations.

This approach, known as toxic positivity, often places undue responsibility on employees to thrive in dysfunctional environments without addressing underlying issues. Mallick highlights three red flags to help identify this behaviour.

Being happy and positive at work can be a win-win for employees and organizations. But what happens when your boss practices toxic positivity? No matter how bad or stressful the situation is or how difficult the circumstances, they convince themselves that simply acting happy or thinking positively....