Let’s face facts: most recruiting strategies are painfully traditional and often even dull. But if you have facilities and jobs in a warm weather area ó and you’re feeling bold ó you might try this “bad weather recruiting” approach. Recruiting After a Snowstorm (Bad Weather Recruiting) If you have ever lived in a cold or bad weather climate, there have invariably been times during particularly nasty weather when you have dreamt of how great it would be if you could immediately move to a warmer climate. Family times had ordered the words, “I never want to spend another winter in this place again.” This premise is the basis for bad weather recruiting. Bad weather recruiting is really quite simple. Whenever a city or geographic region that contains a significant population of the type of talent you’re seeking has a period of particularly bad weather, you take advantage of it. When the situation is at its worst, you place TV, radio, or newsprint ads in those cities. The ads should highlight the superior weather conditions at your warm weather facilities. Yes, it’s true that this is taking advantage of the misfortune of “bad weather cities,” but great recruiting almost invariably involves taking advantage of an opportunity. It’s not a new concept to flout great weather (chambers of commerce and travel agencies do it all the time). The only difference here is that your firm “times” its recruiting campaign to run just as an extended period of bad weather is frustrating or inconveniencing people in the bad weather areas. Other Thoughts Related to “Bad Weather Recruiting”
Conclusion The concept of taking advantage of someone (or in this case, some place) when they are “down” might initially be a problem for some. But the more you think about it, the more comfortable you get. Sending a warm weather message during bad weather just gets candidates’ attention. Candidates still have free choice. And don’t worry, if you don’t have great career opportunities, they won’t bite. Look out North Carolina or Detroit…the recruiters are coming!