spa business
Attracting and Keeping
Best Talent
the
BY GRACE BURZESE
I
n today’s talent pool, attracting the best candidate is not easy. You offer a competitive salary and benefits package, but so do your competitors. Today, candidates are looking beyond benefits and compensation — instead, work/life balance, and company culture are top of mind, these days, so what can you do to attract the best talent?
Be intentional with your hiring process
Most of us can appreciate the sense of urgency to fill a vacant position; however, it’s important to first take the time to identify the skills and values important to you so you can create a clear job design. This allows you to identify and target suitable candidates and give candidates the ability to evaluate if the position aligns with their core values and if it's a good fit for them before the interview process begins.
Implement a strategic recruitment and onboarding process
A candidate's first impression of what it could be like working for you is formed during the recruitment process. Recruitment is a two-way street. You are interviewing them, but they are also interviewing you...you both need to put your best foot forward. Following a successful recruit, it’s important to help new employees feel connected to their roles and your brand. It can be overwhelming for a new employee when they first join a team, and a lack of training can be off-putting. Instead, set your team up for success and provide adequate training. Keep in mind we all learn differently. Some of us are visual learners, some auditory, others are kinesthetic. Tailoring the training as much as possible to the 26 S pa Inc. | Win te r 2 02 2 -2 3
employee’s learning style not only ensures a successful and efficient onboarding process, but also shows you are invested in the success of the team. And don’t forget to check in with new employees regularly to make sure everything is going well.
Build an employee-focused culture
Employees wanted to feel connected to their work. Creating a workplace environment where communication, creativity, and ideas are encouraged and welcomed not only increases employee performance but also reinforces a shared sense of purpose and a common goal they are all working toward together as a team.
Provide career development opportunities
Career development can attract quality candidates and help you retain valued employees. Offering programs that allow employees to enhance their skill set, and career advancement keeps team members motivated, engaged, and invested, and shows potential new employees that you value them as professionals and that there is opportunity for career growth by being part of your team.
Offer a comprehensive employee benefits package
Employees want to feel appreciated for their time and efforts and this can be incorporated in a standard compensation package, however employees are increasingly placing higher importance on benefits that reflect mental health and well-being. So, what does this mean for business owners? It means of course, offering a competitive salary, but you should also ask ‘what’s important to your employees.’ Here are a few suggestions of