If you want to attract and retain great candidates, there are some fundamental rules to follow. While different techniques and methods may work for different employers, the basic rules to follow are similar. Here are some talent management rules to live by for successful talent acquisition.

1. Be clear about job descriptions.

If you are not willing to clearly delineate what your ideal candidate will be doing in a job, you are not going to attract the candidates you want. Vague job descriptions are more likely to get the attention of someone who is desperate to have a job—any job—and those candidates are typically not top candidates.

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2. Get top management to buy in/make it part of organizational culture.

A good talent management strategy is embraced by everyone within the company, and integrated into the overall values, goals, and strategies of the company. HR or a recruiting arm cannot manage talent alone; it is crucial to get top management on board so that effective talent management becomes part of everything your organization does.

3. Make initiatives visible to all within the company.

Posting open positions on your website and having a robust employee referral program are good places to start when making talent management initiatives visible to all employees, but a comprehensive talent management strategy entails more than just recruiting. Companies need to work toward being more transparent about other talent acquisition strategies like onboarding and retention efforts as well.

4. Sell your company in the interview.

Most recruiters and interviewers expect candidates to sell themselves during the application and interview process, but talent management requires that employers also make efforts to sell their company and the position just as strongly. Top talent has many opportunities and can pick and choose among them, and companies need to show clearly why talent should pick them over another opportunity.

5. Doing what works is not always easy.

If your talent management strategy is to do what is easiest, you will not attract top talent. A commitment to doing the hard work of talent management is necessary for success. It takes a lot of effort to get great candidates to take a chance on your organization, but that effort is worthwhile. Top talent propels your company forward to leadership in your field and helps your organization realize its financial and social goals. Making the effort to do the hard things can be the difference between success and failure for your organization.

One way to make your talent management process more effective without a lot of additional effort is to use talent management software that can help you streamline the process and drive your hiring and onboarding efforts more seamlessly. ThriveTRM tracks interactions with potential employees in real time and keeps everyone in the loop effortlessly. Accelerate your talent management efforts today by taking just a moment to schedule a demo.