Selection methods to attract top talent need serious overhaul

The recession has resulted in significant change and innovation in business practices globally.

Yet according to Alexander Mann's Future Fit Recruitment Report, only 33% of HR Directors are good at coming up with creative ways of attracting talent in a market of increasing skills shortages.

The report finds that HRDs purposely have tough skills criteria that are too rigid, with one in five HR leaders admitting there was a lack of flexibility around finding candidates.

Increasingly, as the selection process has become more challenging to deal with, employers need better recruitment and selection tools to understand what truly motivates candidates. One of the biggest innovations in recruitment selection is the LAB Job Profile.

The Language and Behavioural Profile (LAB Profile) is a subtle psycho-linguistic tool that gives us unique insights into the below-conscious motivational patterns we humans have in various contexts and is based on the words people use (it is not a psychometric tool).

Once the job has been profiled by analysing the specific tasks and responsibilities the person will hold, you can use this information to:

• Write job advertisements using the appropriate influencing language to attract the right people and turn off the ones who wouldn't suit the job
• Ask screening and interview questions to understand how closely the candidate's motivations match the job profile and work environment
• Adjust tasks and projects based on the candidate's motivational profile in order to get the best performance out of them once they are on board.

If you are interested in adopting flexible, innovative recruitment methods, have a chat to Katherine Wiid, Director of Recrion, a LAB Profile Practitioner with 20 years recruitment and selection experience. She can be contacted on 01780 484910 or www.recrion.co.uk.