Overcoming Recruitment Challenges in the Interiorscape Industry

Candidate recruitment has never felt more difficult. A large part of the reason is record-low unemployment and a massive surplus of open positions. Today, there are nearly two open positions for every unemployed person in the United States. Winning the candidate competition can’t be done with pay and benefits, as most managers assume. Instead, the focus must be on better connections with job seekers in the interiorscape industry.

Highlighting Purpose to Engage Interiorscape Job Seekers

Increasing pay and benefits is not always feasible for interiorscape companies. For one, most companies can’t compete with the seemingly endless financial resources of larger companies, both in and out of the green industry. Front-line employees, for example, may consider a job at Starbucks as an alternative to your posted plant technician position. Starbucks offers competitive wages and company-matched retirement savings, of course, but also gives employees a premium Spotify subscription, access to Care.com and ten days of backup childcare, charitable donation matches up to $1,000 per year, a free pound of coffee or tea every week, and much more. Fighting to offer more competitive perks is a losing financial strategy for the vast majority of interiorscape businesses.

Fortunately, most employees in this industry care far more about the purpose of work than pay and benefits. One study found that discussing the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of a company—anything that benefits the community, moves toward diversity and inclusion, helps a charity, or has a positive impact on the environment, for example—sees the same increase in job advertisement responses as when pay increases 30%. A recent Harvard Business Review article revealed that the most cited reason for employees quitting was because their work didn’t feel valued. Making a difference through the work we do is critical for employees to feel an attachment to the company.

Simplifying the Hiring Process to Reach More Candidates

Employers in all industries are also failing the recruitment process because applications are far too difficult. Long, complicated forms that ask job seekers about non-relevant experience or education often go unfilled. Additionally, requiring a resume can be a heavy lift for blue-collar workers. Instead, nearly every job seeker today is looking for a mobile-first application and for communication to happen via text message.

Team Engine, an excellent recruitment resource in the green industry, shared that 96% of all applicants through the job boards it powers opted-in to receive text message updates. Companies that engage candidates through text messages have seen significantly higher engagement and lowered recruiting costs. It’s simply how people want to communicate today.

Strengthening Recruitment Strategies to Build a Strong Interiorscape Team

This spring, it’s time to rethink hiring strategies and implement modern recruitment methods that align with potential employees in the interiorscape industry. Simplifying applications, embracing text-based communication, and emphasizing the value of meaningful work can make a significant difference in attracting and retaining employees. By refining your approach, you can build a stronger, more committed team. If you need more help to get started, check out the free course “Recruiting Talent” on GrowTheBench.