Five Unique Strategies to Attract Top Talent in Vermont's Competitive Job Market
Rachel Connor, Author and Talent Advisor, The Source and Recruit Company
As a fourth-generation Vermonter, I know why people want to live here. Vermont is a state known for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and excellent quality of life. Unfortunately, Vermont's relatively small population contributes to a highly competitive job market, and businesses are finding it a challenge to attract and retain the top talent they need. As a Talent Advisor with the Source and Recruit Company, I get the opportunity to work with organizations of all shapes and sizes to help them solve this problem one hire at a time.
Here are some unique strategies for businesses looking to attract the best candidates in Vermont.
Leverage your employer brand:
Vermont Biz just recently published the Best Places to Work in Vermont. This is a great way to bring attention to your employer brand. Your employer brand is the image and reputation that your business projects to potential employees. A strong employer brand can help you stand out from the competition and attract top talent. To build a strong employer brand, focus on creating a positive workplace culture, promoting your company values, and highlighting your employee benefits and perks. Current employees are your best ambassadors to promote your employer brand to other potential employees. Incentivize and recognized employees that actively share, promote, and demonstrate positive workplace culture, company values, and job opportunities.
Offer competitive compensation:
In a competitive job market, offering competitive salaries and benefits is essential to attracting top talent. Do some research to find out what the going rate is for positions in your industry in Vermont. The Source and Recruit Company has tools for understanding salary and labor supply that are included with each search or can be purchased stand-alone via this link.
Unique benefits:
Vermont businesses are known for offering unique benefits that reflect the state's culture and values. Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, have become increasingly popular and a priority for top talent. Employees are looking for ways they can achieve a better work-life balance. Wellness programs such as gym memberships, nutritious in-office food options, mental health days, and incentives for healthy habits have become more and more popular. Healthy employees benefit everyone!
Community involvement opportunities:
Many Vermont businesses are encouraging and organizing ways for employees to give back to their communities. For example, The Source and Recruit Company grants volunteer hours to the team as part of our time-off packages. Other Vermont businesses organize events to benefit local causes, in-office toy drives, or donation matching programs. The United Way offers Days of Caring events for Vermont businesses to sign up for employees to perform service projects together.
Pet-friendly workplaces:
Some Vermont businesses are pet-friendly and allow employees to bring their pets to work, which can help reduce stress and create a more relaxed work environment. Studies have shown that pet owners have lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and a lower risk of heart disease. Pets can help employees socialize and build relationships with each other, which can help improve teamwork and collaboration in the workplace. A pet-friendly workplace can help create a more positive and inclusive company culture, which can help attract and retain top talent.
And a Bonus Tip!
Think beyond job ads and inbound applicants. Learning sourcing skills and how to engage with passive talent is expected to be the number #1 most important recruiting skill for the next five years. If you donโt have the capability to do this in house, get in touch.
Attracting top talent in Vermont can be a challenge, but with a strategic approach and a commitment to promoting your employer brand, offering competitive compensation packages, unique benefits, community involvement opportunities, and a pet-friendly work environment you could stand out from the competition and attract top talent to your business.
If you are interested in learning more about The Source and Recruit Company, our on-demand recruiting services, salary and labor reports, or pre-hire assessments, send us an inquiry and letโs chat!
