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Recruiting secret used by the best companies in the world

Ever wonder why some companies and golf clubs attract the best candidates like honey to a bee? Sure some may have oodles of expendable income and five star facilities yet, when it comes to recruiting, they also follow unique, innovative recruiting strategies vs. their competitors. Not every golf club/resort has a kick-butt course, clubhouse and/or tons of cash to burn but any club can improve how it attracts candidates.

WHAT IS AN INNOVATIVE RECRUITING STRATEGY 

An innovative recruiting strategy is bold, different, appealing to candidates and separates your club from the pack.Prime example of trying something different is recruiting on niche sites where potential candidates hang (like GolfSurfin.com). Example. Was listening to a show called “Reality Checked” on Sirius radio while walking with my daughter on a beautiful morning in Miami. The talk show starring Amy Phillips, who btw does a dead-on impressions of just about every housewife (my current fav is Dorit from Beverly Hills), discusses the trials and tribulations of “The Housewives” reality franchise on Bravo. Not the most thought provoking tv but entertaining nevertheless if you like watching middle-aged women who supposedly “have it all” experience fighting, cheating, divorce, lying and back stabbing…all the good stuff. During a commercial break there’s an advertisement for Callaway Clubs.

I was floored thinking what the heck is a major golf equipment company advertising on a reality talk show? 

My guess is they’re trying to appeal to a female audience between 18-60 who probably have lots of expendable cash to throw at new clubs. This is a perfect example of a golf company spreading its message (although this specific example is for products it could easily convert to jobs) to a targeted audience. Who woulda thunk. Maybe your club can’t afford advertising on national radio but other unique recruiting techniques include:

  • texting initial interviews (70% of candidates job search on their phones)
  • using videos to show off your club
  • video testimonials from happy employees
  • well written ads for seasonal employees highlighting job flexibility and creativity… now called “gig” employment a hot topic I’ll discuss next time

Some of these ideas may be a little intimidating esp. for “first timers” however they help set you apart from the competition and reinforce the belief that your club is forward thinking and willing to take chances. Another “stand out from the crowd ” recruiting technique that you can start today is firing-up our Golf Candidate Blast service for your clubs open positions. Check-out details here.

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Club Recruiting – Beware of the sweeping balloon ladies

Always amazed at how reminders and reinforcements for good recruiting habits can pop up in everyday life…like when doing in a half marathon.

Walked in my first (and probably last) 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) last week at runDisney in Orlando with my daughter.

Everyone I talked to beforehand said “you’ll finish no problem…you’re walking for gosh sakes…no worries”.

Was clearly talking to the wrong people.

Problem with these marathons is keeping up at a 16 minute/mile pace.

In this particular race, walking pace is enforced by “Balloon Ladies” who start in the last corral, are the last to cross the start line and walk the race at a 16 min/mi pace. If you’re passed by these loud yet encouraging gals you’re in danger of getting “swept” meaning you’re too slow and will be removed from the course.

Bye bye medal!

Found myself either running to catch-up with OR constantly peering behind to gauge how close these little buggers were (no disrespect to my new nemesis that morning…the ladies very nice and encouraging).

Keeping up with the balloon ladies became an anxiety ridden problem that I was either trying catch-up to or fend-off.

Which kinda reminded me of panic hiring.

Clubs typically hire when the position becomes vacant then scramble to fill the position.

They fill it with the strongest candidate at the time just to get it filled, hope for the best and fend-off the least desirable applicants.

Best way for golf clubs to avoid getting “swept” by the cycle of panic hiring is to always be in the recruiting mode for talent.

Examples:

  • If someone offers you incredible service at a store, hotel, golf club, restaurant etc… give them a compliment, notice their name and hand them your card.
  • One of your long time suppliers has provided you stellar customer service and you girls/guys seem to “click” let them know you’re always open to talk when they’re ready for a career change.
  • Develop a people pipeline and have other staff members do the same. Have them along with you make a list of dream hires and set-up a call or meet for coffee periodically with these passive candidates.
  • Continuous intake – keep a general job posting on your website at all times letting candidates know if they’re interested in your club you’re interested in seeing their resume.

Remember there’s a difference between hiring and recruiting.

Hiring is filling an immediate need…its reactive.

Recruiting is a mindset and a great habit to practice to avoid the “panic” button.

Dawn Schlesinger
GolfSurfin.com

PS. I did reach the finish line…still recovering.

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