Labor Shortages Amplify ASA Members’ Need to Polish Their Online Presence

As ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl recently covered in his weekly ASA economic podcast, labor shortages remain and they continue to have an acute effect on the PHCP/PVF industry.  He said the immediate need for experienced and trained workers is high compared to training new employees, which takes time.
 

ASA members agree given the comments received during the association’s annual strategic planning meeting earlier this year.
 

“We need to elevate the industry’s profile as a viable and rewarding career destination” said one ASA member volunteer.  “More outward-facing efforts to showcase the industry’s promise as a viable, rewarding career path are needed,” added another member volunteer.
 

Project Talent, one of the association’s key strategic initiatives, is designed to create more interest in the industry among job seekers while providing members with recruitment tools and resources.
 

It should come as no surprise that the first place most jobseekers will look when learning about potential opportunities is a company’s website.  Therefore, it can’t be underestimated that the experience a candidate may have on a website could make or break the chance to attract the best talent possible.
 

“A good place to start for ASA members struggling with labor issues is to review their online presence,” said Steve Edwards, ASA’s director of recruitment marketing.  “Oftentimes, a firm’s website or social media activity can make the difference between attracting a candidate or losing them to another organization,” added Edwards.
 

When considering this, ASA members may ask themselves:
 

• Does my website promote our culture?
• Does my website provide a good candidate experience?
• Is my website mobile-ready?
• Can people easily find my website?

There are many ASA members who don’t have a visible “Careers” or “Employment Opportunities” link on their website.  To assist members, ASA has created a website checklist that outlines best practices to help members create a compelling online recruitment tool.

Additionally, if you’d like to have a complimentary comprehensive review of your website as it relates to recruitment, please send a request to info@asa.net.  To date, dozens of these reviews have been conducted for ASA members.

Through Project Talent, there are additional resources available exclusively to members to augment their local recruitment.

The website, supplyindustrycareers.com is targeted at potential candidates and offers information about the industry.  On this site, the Supply Industry Careers Map lists ASA members by geography.  Members who activate the “Has Available Jobs” option in their ASA.net member profile are given a “Now Hiring” icon on the map giving job seekers a visual clue where there might be immediate opportunities. Currently, nearly 70 members have activated this representing 2,800 locations across the country.

Also available is the Recruiter Toolbox, a free online recruitment resource hub with stock photos, event links, job descriptions, best practices, and more. (ASA.net login required.)

These tools are just part of what ASA offers through Project Talent. To learn more, please download the Project Talent overview.