Many companies are struggling with a shrinking labor pool. Between retirees, low birth rates, and low labor force participation, finding skilled professionals is becoming increasingly challenging. This means many are turning to contract workers to fill in skills gaps. Maintaining a robust talent pipeline is essential if you want to ensure productivity and see your company grow. While figuring out how to create a robust talent pipeline is a daunting prospect on the surface, particularly if you have recently had trouble finding high-quality candidates, there are things you can do to increase the size of your talent pool.

Here’s how to get started.

1. Create an Employee Referral Program

When you need to bolster your talent pipeline, your current staff is a valuable resource. In most cases, they will only refer candidates they believe can do the job well, as any referral is a reflection on them as well. Additionally, if they enjoy working for you, they will be happy to let members of their network know about opportunities, which can give you access to passive job seekers. Make sure to inform your workers whenever there is a vacancy and give them a mechanism for making recommendations that is outside the traditional hiring process. This encourages their participation and ensures that referred job seekers are examined quickly and efficiently, increasing the odds you’ll be able to land top talent.

2. Revamp Your Application Process

A long application is guaranteed to chase some skilled job seekers away. Most won’t sit around to complete an application that takes more than a few minutes, especially if they are asked to repeat certain steps. Asking a candidate to submit a resume and record that information in another section of the application is frustrating, so adjust your process to only need one form of input. Similarly, don’t use too many essay questions during the first phase, as multiples may cause some job seekers to drop out of the process. Make sure your application process is mobile-friendly, allowing candidates to apply from their smartphones. Many job seekers use their phones to manage their search, so this will be a welcomed update. Finally, give interested professionals a way to submit their resume even if there isn’t a current opening that matches their skills. This can increase the size of your talent pipeline, allowing you to reach out when a suitable opportunity comes available.

3. Build Relationships with Potential Candidates

Building relationships with potential candidates is key to ensuring your talent pipeline remains strong. Attend industry events and meet-ups to connect with skilled professionals in person. Consider hosting an open house event to meet new candidates. Use personalized communication, like tailored emails or calls, to show genuine interest in their expertise and career goals. Check in with them regularly to stay updated on their availability and aspirations. By fostering these connections, you create a network of talented individuals ready to bring value to your team when the opportunity arises.

4. Build a Strong Employer Brand

Top talent wants to know what it is like to work for a company before they apply. They often seek out information on social media to learn about the organization, so make sure you are making a strong impression on your target group. Share details about your culture openly, discuss innovative developments, and talk about new technologies you are integrating. Make sure the posts provide value to the reader and aren’t just sales pitches, as those have the biggest impact.

5. Partners with Recruitment Specialists

Partnering with recruitment specialists is a powerful way to keep your talent pipeline full. These experts have access to unique candidate pools that many employers can’t easily reach, including passive job seekers and niche professionals with specialized skills. Their extensive networks and databases allow them to connect you with top talent who might otherwise go unnoticed. Additionally, recruitment specialists excel at matching candidates to roles efficiently, leveraging their expertise to understand both your company’s needs and the candidates’ strengths. This ensures a smooth hiring process and builds a pipeline with high-quality candidates ready to contribute to your team.

Building Your Team Together

By using the tips above, you can make sure your talent pipeline remains full. If you’d like to learn more, the team at Award Staffing can help. Contact us to discuss your hiring goals with one of our recruitment specialists today and see how our hiring expertise can benefit you.