advice on attracting and recruiting new staffs

k3nn7i · Post by **k3nn7i** » Wed, 14 Feb 2007 2:11 pm

Hi..I'm currently required by my boss to attract and recruit new staffs to my company (Insurance company). I've done a lot of advertisements online...creating banner advertisements using Macromedia Flash but to no avail. Contacted almost all of my friends too. So, can anyone give advice as to what i should do next? thx...

guruvishwanath · Post by **guruvishwanath** » Wed, 14 Feb 2007 2:14 pm

Welcome to the Corporate World in Singapore!!

Despite the job market being hot and lots of potentials being available, it just seems like there is a severe shortage of people that you can recruit. I am doing an interview a day and so far results. But I am optimistic that I will find someone who will fit my bill.

Attrition rate in Singapore is quite on the upside. You will have people quit jobs in a year if they feel that they did not get much of bonus or somebody offers a better offer even if it is by 500$.

k3nn7i · Post by **k3nn7i** » Wed, 14 Feb 2007 2:34 pm

The problem is...where do i get that confidence? i've tried many ways and yet failed. im on a dead-end road

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Wed, 14 Feb 2007 10:18 pm

First of all, you are in the wrong business. Insurance is one of the most difficult things to sell.

As far as moving is concerned, as a headhunter and former recruiter, the saying in the industry is a local will jump jobs after 2 years maximum or immediately for 5 minutes or $50 dollars (5 minutes closer to home). While this sounds bad, the other saying is where there's smoke there's fire. With a total of 14 years of providing Human Capital Solutions here in Singapore I can honestly say that it is almost 100% correct.

k3nn7i · Post by **k3nn7i** » Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:51 am

Think now it's too late to say "I'm in the wrong business" because i have to take that challenge right now. so is there any suggestions for me as to what i shld do next? thx..for the reply

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Thu, 15 Feb 2007 8:56 pm

k3nn7i wrote:Think now it's too late to say "I'm in the wrong business" because i have to take that challenge right now. so is there any suggestions for me as to what i shld do next? thx..for the reply

So... you know recruiting is difficult. You know that whomever you recruit will be a short term type unless they make a lot of money with you.

I would form my recruitment program around stealing experienced people from other companies. If SMS is right you won't need to offer much more... maybe just a bit more to get people to move.

What could you offer? Perhaps a slightly higher initial commission for the sale, or a slightly larger override on renewed policies. Or you could provide better working conditions... perhaps flex hours, extra perks. Or, you could offer extra administrative services that others don't so your agents didn't have so much paperwork.

Or, you could get radical. You could offer to create companies for your agents so that instead of being employees they would be independent agents.

You get the drift. You find it hard to recruit. SMS says people jump for very little. So come up with something that is a bit more than very little and you'll get the applicants.

You will need to network into existing agents. I suggest professional groups, or throw a party for agents and advertise the h*ll out of it... then press the flesh and tell them what a great work environment you have.

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:57 pm

And that's the difference between recruiting and marketing! Good one SE!

Course I've never claimed to be a marketing person now have I. This ole farmboy is too course for that kind of finesse.

k3nn7i · Post by **k3nn7i** » Fri, 16 Feb 2007 9:09 am

Thanks for the advice SE...by the way,
Do you think by doing a job survey, i can track down all those who are looking for jobs? or is it just a waste of time?

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:38 am

k3nn7i wrote:Thanks for the advice SE...by the way,
Do you think by doing a job survey, i can track down all those who are looking for jobs? or is it just a waste of time?

I'd say it is a waste of time. Everybody is looking for a job, only it has to be one that appears to be better than the one they are currently in.

If nothing else, contact some insurance agents and let them pitch you. You can determine if they are any good, and when they are finished make them a better offer.

Post by **jpatokal** » Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:13 pm

A note of caution: the OP is not recruiting people for his own company, he's recruiting them for his boss's company. This means he's probably not at liberty to offer up much in the way of better conditions or pay in what is, after all, a very competitive (and much-hated) industry...

k3nn7i · Post by **k3nn7i** » Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:08 am

wow...it looks like I'm going to have a tough time here. Trying to recruit people. I have no idea too why i have chosen this company. maybe I'm just desperate of getting work

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:19 am

k3nn7i wrote:wow...it looks like I'm going to have a tough time here. Trying to recruit people. I have no idea too why i have chosen this company. maybe I'm just desperate of getting work

So... what did you come up with for a recruiting plan?

k3nn7i · Post by **k3nn7i** » Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:44 am

I've done online ads...advertise on any available forums available online.
Did job survey but to no avail too. anyway, there is a career fair coming up 1st March rite? think I'll have to do it again.
Contacted most of my friends and it looks like the whole people in this world is avoiding me...
I was thinking of doing telemarketing too...

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