On finding talent

I read an article a few months ago about the trouble that local businesses, specifically those of a technical nature, were having in finding qualified employees. While it should come as no surprise to anyone, it does beg the question that can be asked of the agency business here in Idaho — can more be done to attract and retain well-qualified candidates to local agencies?

I’ve seen a number of job openings running repeatedly as of late, which suggests that either the employer is not finding the qualified person, or that the qualified person is not interested in looking for a new job. Add to it the fact that agencies from outside the area have been known to recruit in the area (agency job openings in Portland on the Boise Craigslist are common), and the problem only gets worse.

So, the question remains — can more be done to attract and retain well-qualified candidates?

Technorati tags: advertising agency talent, craigslist

4 Replies to “On finding talent”

  1. Besides pay, I think not having your company run by an arrogant asshole does wonders for attracting/retaining talent. Boise’s a small town and word spreads fast. I know, I know, this is a really negative post and counterproductive, etc. etc., but seriously, take a moment and think about Boise Ad Agencies and the assholes that run them. I can name at least 5 right off the top of my head, and I bet you can too. But that’s ok, no need to name names, we’ll just keep it our little Boise secret.

  2. “I’ve seen a number of job openings running repeatedly as of late, which suggests that either the employer is not finding the qualified person, or that the qualified person is not interested in looking for a new job”

    …or that the qualified person does not want to work for the employer for whatever reason.

  3. I’m not from around here originally, but, I work at an agency here in town now, and what I’ve observed is that it seems to be a very isolated, insular market filled primarily with home-grown talent (most of whom have had the pleasure of touching HP at some point or another). Someone I know who is also from another market confirmed as much to me. Not to be deliberately insulting to anyone here or anything, but I think this market desperately needs an infusion of out-of-market talent.

  4. I think the idea of an out-of-market infusion of talent is a good one. It may be just what this area needs. Other possibilities (in my mind, at least) are things such as doing more work with college students — getting them ready at an earlier stage to have the kind of skills that a local agency would want.

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