Leading By Example: The Importance of Executive Involvement in Talent Acquisition
- Andrew Stahl
- Oct 17
- 3 min read
Talent acquisition is a vital component in any organization. Great talent is essential to company success. The wrong talent can lead to poor productivity, losses, and reputational damage.
Executives can ensure an effective talent acquisition process by getting involved. Involvement should start with ad creation and carry through to onboarding. Their support will provide a long-lasting, successful relationship with new talent.
Executive Involvement in Employer Branding
The first step of executive involvement is in employer branding. Executives must ensure their brand is well represented in their talent acquisition materials. This strategy helps them find the best talent for their positions.
Executives should work with HR teams to ensure they have a holistic understanding of company culture and the organization's offerings. They must collaborate on career pages and job ads to create materials that express these assets. The aim is to attract talent that is suited to their positions.
When job materials are targeted to the right candidates, it reduces the risk of attracting unsuitable talent, which prolongs the hiring process, wasting time and money. It also sends a positive branding message, which improves organizational reputation. Effective hiring materials support the candidate experience and boost overall efficiency.
Executive Involvement in Interviewing
The interview process is often left to HR staff, but executives should come into the fold before making a final decision. They should interview candidates in the final stages to provide their input and let them know there is oversight in the organization.
This approach lets candidates know the company has a caring executive team. It also makes them feel like they accomplished more through the hiring process. Executive approval will mean more to the candidate, making them more invested in the job. It sets the tone for their future in the workplace.
Executive Involvement in Onboarding
Companies spend a lot of time and money hiring new talent, but they often don't see a return on their investment because they don't put enough effort into onboarding. When new hires aren't appropriately onboarded, they feel lost and unwelcome. They may quit before they genuinely start working, leaving companies to repeat the process.
Executives may not have time to fully onboard new hires, but getting involved in the process can help. They should take the time to welcome new employees. They may even consider scheduling a special in-office meeting or taking them out to lunch.
An executive should also ensure the new hire has the resources to get up to speed. Videos and AI can be helpful and save time and money, but nothing replaces the human touch. A team should be available to ensure the employee understands the training material and feels comfortable in their new position.
Leading By Example
When an executive gets involved in the hiring process, it ensures employer branding comes through, increases the chance that the employee will fit in with company culture, boosts retention, and forms a better bond between the worker and the company. However, it also shows HR staff and other team members the importance of talent acquisition and strong employer-employee relationships. It sets a positive culture in the office that breeds a sense of trust and loyalty.
Stahl Recruiting Supports the Hiring Process
Executive involvement is essential in talent acquisition, but many executives don't have the time to get involved. Stahl Recruiting simplifies the process, handling the leg work and ensuring executives are brought in at the right time. Our team will take care of the bulk of hiring, but we will make a point to show that the organization plays a role in the final approval.
Our years of experience in the industry ensure we support our client's strategic goals. We are known for our high level of ethics and integrity. Our history of satisfied clients speaks for itself.
Contact us the next time you are ready to hire. We will ensure you find the best talent for your rail industry executive positions.
Stahl Recruiting Executive Search
Where Railway Leadership Meets its Future
877-557-8245
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