How to (Tastefully) Recruit From Your Competitors

When you’re a smaller company in an industry that’s full of giants, it may feel nearly impossible to land yourself top talent. However, with some careful strategizing and self-reflection, it is possible to attract the best in the business. In fact, you may even find that you’re able to convert competitors’ top performers, thus bringing them on board your team. If you have your eye on a standout employee at another company, here are some ways to recruit them to join your force in a tasteful way:

Don’t trash the other guys

Nothing discredits your company faster than trash talking the person’s current employer. Even if what you’re saying is true, it makes you seem unprofessional and catty. Instead of talking smack about your competitors, keep the conversation positive and focused on what you have to offer on your own.

Don’t apologize for the size of the company

Some professionals feel the need to apologize for the smaller size of their company as they try to recruit. In reality, what you view as a negative may actually be a huge plus for a person who currently works for a huge firm. Bigger is not necessarily better, and in fact many people are anxious to leave a large corporation. Never apologize for the business’s smaller size, as this may actually end up being a huge selling point.

Focus on the positive aspects of your business

Though you may not have as much glitz and glam as the other guys, in order to illustrate why this person wants to work for your business, you’ll need to know how to show the positive aspects of your company. Whether it’s your flexible work schedule, generous time off, or room for growth, when you highlight these factors it becomes immediately clear why this individual would want to join your team.

Get the word out

You may have professionals who are just dying to work for you, but assume you’re not hiring. In order to recruit top talent, you need to let these people know that you’re looking. To do this, make mention of it on your website, and take care to post information about the company culture, successes, and other positive aspects of working for you. You’ll also want to create a strong presence on social media, and may want to consider sponsoring lectures or networking events for industry professionals.

If you are going to have other people partake in your recruiting efforts, make sure that they are qualified to represent the company well. If you pick someone who is burnt out, they may not do the business justice and may hinder your recruiting efforts as a result.

How have you successfully recruited top talent from a competitor in the past? Let us know in the comments!