Recruit like your life depends on it

Let’s face it, the poultry industry faces an uphill battle when it comes to recruiting.

Today’s labor shortage, among many other concerns, tremendously affects recruiting. But when you add in budget constraints, millennials’ perceptions and expectations, as well as diversity and inclusion pressures, the battle gets even tougher.

Poultry industry recruiters say that these add-ins are the leading challenges in poultry recruiting. You must recruit like your life depends on it!

Barbara Jenkins

Future needs

This means human resources managers and recruiters must be willing to have tough conversations with senior management about increasing hiring salaries, being respectful and receptive of future leaders’ perceptions and expectations, and the elephant in the room, the issue of diversity, equity and inclusion.

As we think about the future of the food industry, think about the mindsets of those who will be leading us in the coming years. Ask: What’s important to them? What will keep them going and advocating for the business for the long term? 

Wages

The poultry industry does pay competitive salaries. But are we competitive in every job? For example, the new $15 federal minimum wage proposal will affect salaries across the board.

So, if a potential worker has a choice between working at a restaurant for $20 an hour and working at a poultry plant at $17 an hour, what do you think their choice will be? Even though the company might have better benefits, the higher pay is what will resonate with a young person.

The job market is hot right now, and competition is high. Everyone is vying for the same person. So, poultry industry recruiters must be willing to blow a candidate’s mind with an offer they can’t refuse.

Youth 

Millennials are often stereotyped as lazy and entitled. However, this doesn’t categorize all millennials. They are a product of their upbringing. They have learned to work smarter, not harder. They have grown up in a world of technology and light lifting when it comes to getting things done. Whereas older generations often had to do mundane, manual tasks and lots of heavy lifting to get to an end result. 

Do not underestimate the drive and potential of a future leader based on them thinking differently than you. As the world changes so must our industry.

Diversity 

Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are at the forefront of all leading businesses. Social change and responsibility are crucial in today’s workplace. These programs are an essential part of keeping employees happy and engaged. The poultry and egg industries are often viewed as lagging in this area.

Certainly, like everything else, there are risks involved in being the first but there are tremendous advantages. The most important advantage is this allows stakeholders — including external customers and consumers — to see that you are a leader who truly cares about not only their bottom line but about feeding the world and all cultures in it.

It’s up to you to recruit like your life depends on it to help your company grow people.