The Sourcerer got to thinking recently about how much complaining people do.  We complain about our health (and our health care), we complain about the weather, the cost of everything from groceries to golf, government  being too invasive or not invasive enough and we complain a lot about our jobs.  That last complaint is the subject of this Blog.

If you’re one of those people who complain about their job, maybe you can do something about it.  I know a company that used to have high turnover problems.  The work was hard, the boss demanding and the customers (like all good customers) could often be a pain-in-the-a- -.  Here’s what the company did to put a halt to the complaining and the turnover.

They had a brainstorming session with their employees to create a list of activities that would alleviate stress, encourage group participation and open communication on a completely new level for staff and management. They then set a schedule that allows everyone to participate in one of these events each quarter. The company closes early on the day the event is scheduled so everyone can attend.

They’ve done everything from volleyball to LazerTron.  Bosses and staff participate on an even footing.  The events are fun and often very funny.  When everyone is back at work, well, the work is still hard, the boss is still demanding and the customers…well, they never really change.  But you know what has changed?  The turnover…it’s nearly non-existent and the complaining has dialed-down to barely a murmur. And best of all, the company’s revenues have increased significantly since this program was introduced.

If you have too much complaining at your place of business, why not try a tactic like this and turn your workplace into a better, more productive and less stressful environment?

This week I stopped at my local Home Depot store to get a couple of extra keys made and I got to talking with the clerk who was taking care of my order. I asked her if she liked working at Home Depot, expecting her to say something kind of “vanilla” about working in retail where the hours are tough and the pay is generally low.

Well, you should have heard this woman…she went on and on about how great the company was, how much she liked her job, her co-workers, the benefits, the way she was treated by her boss, etc, etc. I found myself taking a whole new attitude toward this company after that conversation.  And that got me thinking further…

Wouldn’t it be great to capture the enthusiasm of happy, satisfied employees and place their comments on your company’s career site so that candidates could see and read the reasons why they should consider your company as a potential employer!  Not the marketing hype from your sales department or ad agency, but the honest comments of real employees. 

No matter how high the unemployment rate is, finding truly talented personnel is difficult, to say the least.  Why not let your own employees help by giving interested candidates reasons to consider your company as their next employer?

Consider including the positive comments of one or two people from within the actual department or area where you have a new job opening.  You may find that doing so will encourage top talent to apply.

What do you think…

Candidates often ask questions of recruiters on issues about a new job possibility that range far beyond the scope of the job responsibilities, salary and benefits.  Top tier job seekers want to know:

• What’s the company like?
• How many employees do they have?
• How many people work in the department I’m applying to?
• What’s the working environment like?
• Can you tell me about the company’s culture?
• Do they have much turnover?
• Why is the job open?
• Is there a clear career path in this position?
• Do they promote from within?
• What kind of opportunities are there for advancement?

Candidates who are interested in career growth want to know so much more than a typical job description will tell them.  You can use your Career Site to present this type of ancillary information. Information that can increase the interest a highly qualified candidate may have in your organization.

It’s up to you to create the “sizzle” that will help convince that “just right” job seeker to pursue your company.  There are lots of topics you can include on a well designed Career Site including:

• Employee testimonials (VERY effective)
• A company events calendar 
• A diversity policy statement
• Employee photos
• List of charitable events in which the company & employees particpate
• Company vision or mission statement
• Comments from satisfied customers

Use your imagination to create a Career Site that will appeal to the level of candidates you want to attract to your company.  Whether unemployment is at record highs or is incredibly low, finding  top talent is always difficult.  Sell the reasons why your employees like working at your firm.