During the holiday season many people take time to reflect on their lives and makes changes or New Years Resolutions. While weight loss and quitting smoking have often been top of the list, the trend is now that more and more people are deciding to make choices that impact their work life balance. This has resulted in many new job seekers hitting the market in January.
Will you be one of the job seekers? What can your employer do now to stop your resume from hitting the streets in January?
As an employer what are you doing to ensure your talent does not walk out the door in January? Have you built a plan to capitalize on the Hot Market in January where you will see the largest number of actively employed professionals test the job market?
As an employer a little goes a long way in helping to retain employees. While a large year end bonus, I am sure, is on everyone’s holiday list some small things to consider are:
Ten Small Holiday Ideas that Will Improve Morale and Retention:
1) Mail Holiday cards to employees homes, addressed to the family, letting them know how much you appreciate the individual working for you
2) Give your employees an extra hour at lunch, at least once, to do last minute shopping
3) Do your reviews with them; let them know how they are doing
4) Ask them for a Holiday Wish list of things that you could do to help them succeed in their jobs
5) Take your staff to lunch to show your appreciation
6) Buy a small but personal gift (can be under $20) that you shows you know them on a personal level (music, itunes card, fancy coffee, Tim Horton gift certificate, flower, etc)
7) Give them all money or gift card value $20-$100 and tell them to buy themselves something and have each employee bring it back to office for people to see what they bought and why
8) Do a company Chris Cringle gift exchange and pot luck lunch
9) Take donations of food, money, toys or clothing and support a disadvantaged family
10) Let them leave early the last day of work before the holidays to beat the rush
It does not take a large financial or time commitment to gain valuable ground with employee loyalty. Employees want to know that you care about them both professionally as well as personally. Spend some time with them, let them know how valued they are and allow them some time for themselves. This will go a long way in keeping them loyal.
As far as what you as an Employer can do to capitalize on the Hot Labour Market; don’t put off your recruitment efforts, double them up for January. What ever works for you ensure that you are maximizing your market exposure and direct recruitment initiatives during this period. Most January job seekers will test the waters and many will stop entertaining new career opportunities as early as the end of the month. Job Postings usually increase in January by 50% so job boards are certainly an option. Our company implemented eCareerFairs to help jobseekers and employers connect directly from the convenience of their desktops. Most other major recruitment vehicles should also have special opportunities to take advantage of this short but HOT market, don’t miss out on this window of opportunity make sure you are taking advantage of the influx of top talent into the market.