Retail Recruitment for the New Financial Year

Now is a great time to refresh your recruitment strategy and make some ‘new financial year’ hiring resolutions. 

Here are some compelling reasons to review the way you identify, source and retain your retail staff – The start of a new financial year is when new company goals are set, projects are kicked off and – most importantly – budgets are allocated for new roles and retail positions. This means you get to recruit top retail candidates before the budget gets used up in other areas, so start your recruitment now! This will increase your chances of finding the right staff to help you reach growth targets for 2018-2019. Also, planning Christmas recruitment in July is the best way to source the right number and type of workers needed during the holiday season.  

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

Summer might still seem a long way off but, in the retail trade, it’s never far away. Now’s the time to sit down and work out how many staff you will need in each of your stores, and what roles they will be expected to fill. This places you at the head of the field when it comes to recruiting seasonal staff. It also eases the busy run-up to the Christmas holidays and the new year sales. You will be in pole position to snap up the cream of the seasonal crop – while your competitors are still playing catch-up.

POST-RECRUITMENT: HOW TO RETAIN NEW HIRES

Recruiting new staff is really just the starting point. In a competitive industry, you won’t keep great candidates long unless you offer them what they really want. Concentrate on the following areas as part of your ‘new financial year’ resolution.

ENHANCE YOUR ONBOARDING

Every new employee needs to know they are part of the team. Integration will happen far more quickly if you have a well thought-out process to help new hires settle into your workplace. This can be done through a program of proper introductions, support, training and mentorship.

INCREASE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

There’s a lot you can do to help your new recruits. Employees are inclined to leave if they feel their needs are not being met, so be sure to have a strategy in place that focuses on engaging your whole team. Today’s workers love being offered flexible work arrangements and interesting career pathways. Coaching, online training programs and a friendly workplace go a long way towards keeping your staff happy and engaged.

WORK ON YOUR COMPANY BRAND

Branding is everything in today’s retail market. New retail chains and boutique companies are always looking for fresh ways to engage workers and win market advantage. Find ways to promote your point of difference and really stand out in the market. Involving staff in your social media channels is an effective technique. Use employee profiles and videos to build a contemporary brand which appeals to Millennials. If you need some retail recruitment tips, consult a specialist hiring agency like Frontline Retail.