Ah, school days. Such a great time of renewal, especially for learning. A time of new relationships and new authority. As a parent, freedom...hallelujah.
What I see from a business flow is also a time of new relationships and new authority. Companies begin to get back into the swing after the last couple of months of vacation-covering and vacation-experiencing. Growth of the employee base that is purposeful for the corporate mission will lead to long-term health. Whereas my children are only going to be in the new grade from September to June (I hope!), new employees should be in the role for longer than that.
Companies struggle with knowing HOW to find those employees who are excited to enter into a great time of learning. Sourcing, selection and recruitment are skills developed. It is not automatic that every manager or director will be competent in finding great talent. Who is teaching that management level to interview well? I walk into many companies that do not offer any type of training or coaching in the recruitment process to their management. How would we expect success? What about the liability of EEOC violations in interviewing? A shot in the dark cannot be the way.
Yes, this season is about getting back to life, but it's time to, also, get back to reality. A realistic approach to finding qualified, compatible candidates has to be defined. When were the last job analyses done? When has the desire to be diligent about understanding the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a particular job be encouraged? Do you understand the long-term benefits of such a commitment?
Maybe by the time the leaves begin to fall, some of those great new hires will be sitting right next to you because of the changes your company has made to the hiring process. A new classmate at the office. You could trade that bologna sandwich...it's been in your desk for two weeks.
