How to Staff a Position in an Undesirable Location
It’s a simple truth in life that some locations are easier to staff than others. Young up and comers are attracted to downtown offices. Mid-career professionals seeking to shorten their commute often prefer suburban outposts. But what about an office in a rural area or a less desirable part of town? Here are some things you can do to increase your pool of high-quality applicants for an undesirable location.
How to Staff in an Undesirable Location
Go Virtual
If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s that telecommuting is more doable than we ever thought possible. While you may still need a few on-site IT professionals to handle legacy hardware issues, as more systems move to the cloud, the less vital it is to house an entire IT team in a specific office. Switching to a virtual model lets you attract talent from anywhere, no matter where your company is located.
Change Your Expectations
You may not be able to find employees with the precise hard skills you want, but does that really matter? Hiring less experienced team members gives you the opportunity to mold them without having to undo previously-learned bad habits. Look for transferable soft skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork, as well as general work or volunteer experience and an aptitude for IT.
Make It Worthwhile
Employees are motivated by a lot of things, including money, benefits and, most of all, respect. Consider increasing the salary and benefits package if you can. Also, work on creating a strong company culture that values individuals and makes them feel supported. This can go a long way toward convincing top-tier candidates to take a chance on a location that wouldn’t be their first choice.
About PEAK
PEAK Technical Consulting has created connections with employers nationwide, where you can find projects and roles to make the most of your abilities and advance your career. Since 1968, PEAK has helped IT professionals find jobs that offer flexibility, challenges and rewards. We are committed to giving you the resources and support you need to build the career of your dreams.
If you are looking for employers and opportunities that will take your IT career to the next level and help you to achieve your goals, contact a PEAK recruitment expert today.
