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Top hiring tips for employers in 2018

The start of a new year can bring new opportunities, a time for policy updates and of course, new talent. Business magazine Forbes confirm that the “typical cost to replace an employee is 21% of their annual salary”. The average cost per hire has risen, so if you are planning to recruit this year, it’s vital to get it right first time. But how can you secure the best candidates in 2018?

Check your brand awareness

Business software site Capterra explains that “The average person job searching reads six reviews posted about a company before forming their opinion on the company”. With this in mind, there is isn’t time to get your company message wrong. Try to view your company as a new recruit would and see what information you can find on the internet. If this message doesn’t tie in with your overall strategy, now is the time to change it. Show what it’s really like to work in your company to attract candidates. Some businesses provide 360 virtual tours of their office which connect the applicant to your brand before they’ve set foot in the building. But it doesn’t have to be so high-tech, videos of current staff on your website commenting on their day-to-day experiences can give the perfect insight without a huge budget.

Consider the world outside your office

The increase in movement across the globe has created some excellent opportunities for international collaboration. Graduates who have studied abroad bring language skills and cultural understanding of the global market to businesses. These graduates and their ability can be easily accessed with the right systems in place. By opening up your interview process to include skype chats and telephone interviews, the spread of opportunity will increase to secure the best candidates. If you’re hoping to recruit international talent, check the study dates for the countries you are interested in. For example, in the UK, students will finish university in June so availability for most will start towards the end of Summer. The increase in gig economy means that having a more flexible approach to hiring will give you that edge!

Make your company visible

What’s the best way to ensure your job advert can be seen by a wealth of candidates? Your company’s website is the first port-of-call, but for SME companies it can be harder to be seen without a big budget for external recruiters. As we’ve already highlighted, brand awareness is vital and social media can be a useful platform to help promote your company. Here at GradLink our aim is to connect employers with the top UK educated international graduates. Register your company with GradLink today to access our catalogue of thousands of CVs and post on our global jobs board, for free.