According to the American Staffing Association temporary and contract employment has grown 18.3% since the beginning of 2012. As reported in an earlier blog, 2012 was declared the Year of the Temporary. Research confirms that the staffing industry is an economic and leading indicator of employment. Can we see the beginnings of a battle for talent?

We’ve heard descriptions of “Talent Wars” returning in most industries -primarily in social media, medicine and technology. The Silicon Valley conveys accounts of extremely competitive and aggressive recruiting tactics used to steal skilled and quality workers. Here in northern Nevada we are seeing skilled and talented job seekers looking at more job openings and accepting jobs faster.

With hiring on the rise, employers are utilizing staffing services to aid them in sifting through hundreds of resumes, interviewing, and testing candidates to narrow the field down to the best of the best talent. More candidates are applying for positions in their chosen field versus over-qualified candidates applying for any position they can get to keep the wolf at bay. The luxury days of employers seeing a wide variety of high-end superior candidates knocking at their door is going by the wayside.

Yes, the talent wars are heating up and here are a few tips for employers to prepare for the campaign:

Schedule interviews as quickly as possible and avoid a too lengthy decision-making process. Right now, two to three weeks is too long. The quality candidates you see today might be receiving an offer from your competitor tomorrow.

Prepare your talent management strategy to include sophisticated recruiting techniques, well-developed and in-depth employee orientations and superb retention plans.

Be a splendid example of employee and business best practices. Attract talent rather than repel by being known for taking care of your employees and publicly recognizing them, competitive compensation, excellent leadership and offering development/training opportunities.

Written by Susan Fix, The Applied Companies Community Liaison Partner. Fix has worked 15 years in staffing services performing outside sales, recruiting, permanent and temporary placement coordination, career counseling, customer service and social media/business.

2012 National Volunteer Week is April 15 – 21. What a great time to acknowledge and honor the individuals who give so much of their time, energy and hearts to our community.

According to most sources, Richard Nixon, was the first president of the United States to sign a proclamation (on April 20, 1974) establishing National Volunteer Week. Calling “the spirit of voluntarism one of the hallmarks of American life,” Nixon designated the week of April 21 be observed by “seeking out an area in their community in which they can give to a needy individual or a worthy cause by devoting a few hours, or more, each week to volunteer service.”  He also called on communities to recognize volunteers with “special ceremonies.”  [Proclamation 4288 – The American Presidency Project]

One of the benefits offered at The Applied Companies is the ability to give back to the community through our paid volunteerism policy. An option offered to our employees during National Volunteer Week is helping our partner in education, Risley Elementary School. Our staff will be manning computers to help with spring registration.

Would you like to showcase your company or organization’s volunteer efforts during National Volunteer Week?Nevada Volunteers will post your stories, comments (a short sentence or two) and photos to their blog and Facebook/Twitter audiences. Contact Lindsay Bridges at Lindsay@NevadaVolunteers.org for more information.

Written by Susan Fix, The Applied Companies Community Liaison Partner. Fix has worked 15 years in staffing services performing outside sales, recruiting, permanent and temporary placement coordination, career counseling, customer service and social media/business.

Click here to view Jim Annis' RGJ article