Why recruiting in your own back yard is no longer enough

If your company is struggling to hire the talent you need to grow your business, you are not alone. For many employers, recruiting remains a top challenge. That’s why more employers are making long-distance recruitment part of their talent acquisition strategy.

If you can’t find the right candidates in your backyard, it’s time to expand your search. Plus, there are several advantages to hiring employees from afar, beyond simply filling those open slots.

Here’s why it makes sense to cast a wider net—and how to do so effectively.

 

Access to a Larger Talent Pool      

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of long-distance recruitment is the ability to tap into a much larger talent pool. Think about it: if you’re limiting your search to a small geographic area, you’re missing out on all the great candidates who live beyond those self-imposed borders.

According to a LinkedIn survey, 70% of the workforce is composed of passive job seekers—i.e., candidates who are open to opportunities, but not actively hunting for them.

Expanding your search perimeter increases your chances of connecting with this untapped talent. And that can be a gamechanger since the most in-demand candidates are off the market within 10 days of launching a job search.

 

A Way to Fill Your Skill Gaps   

The U.S. is a big, diverse country. Not surprisingly, some regions suffer from more acute skill shortages than others. By embracing long-distance recruitment, employers can bridge their skill gaps by sourcing talent from areas where that expertise is more abundant.

This is particularly the case in professions that require highly-specialized training, such as healthcare and technology. For example, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there are 362 physicians for every 100,000 Massachusetts residents—but less than half of that in Mississippi. Therefore, a Mississippi hospital might greatly benefit from expanding its recruiting efforts beyond the immediate region.

 

Stay up to date

Subscribe to the blog for the latest updates

 

Enhanced Innovation (and Profits)  

Recruiting employees from varied locations will bring fresh perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds into your workforce—and this diversity will likely foster a more vibrant, innovative work environment, and increased innovation translates to increased profits.

Research indicates that companies with more diverse management teams are not only more innovative but enjoy 19% higher revenue. By recruiting talent from different areas, you can ensure that your workforce is rich in ideas and perspectives—which may ultimately boost your bottom line.

 

If You Offer It, Will They Come? 

Not all job candidates are open to relocating, but a significant percentage are—whether for career advancement, greater compensation, or a change of lifestyle.

According to a 2022 Allied survey, professionals between the ages of 25-44 are most likely to accept relocation offers. The survey also found that a company’s size has no effect on workers’ willingness to move, so even small employers can recruit long-distance successfully.

Of course, corporate relocation is more prevalent in some skills-based industries where talent is specialized and in demand. For example, 45% of new physicians accept out-of-state positions after medical school; it’s a common practice in healthcare.  

But whatever industry you’re in, when it comes to long-distance recruiting, the key is to make your offers so irresistible, candidates find it hard to say no.

 

How to Make “Moving” Job Offers

When it comes to accepting a job offer that involves relocation, candidates consider many factors: the position itself, compensation, location, long-term career opportunities—and increasingly, work/life balance.   
 
Beyond those elements, there are tangible things you can do to make your offers more attractive. For starters, treat your candidates to a standout interview experience. Reimburse them promptly for their travel expenses (an area where many employers fall short). 

In addition, offer an impressive relocation package—it might make the difference between yes and no. One with a user-friendly app that guides employees through the process in an upbeat, low-stress way. One that provides expert help from relocation specialists, plus a network of vetted movers and realtors. Don’t just offer a relocation allowance!  

UrbanBound’s relocation solution offers all of these attractive features—and it’s surprisingly affordable, too. So, if you’re ready to expand the range of your talent searches, but you want to do it in a smart, cost-conscious way, give us a holler. We have some great ideas for you.     

 

Human Resources Today