Finding top-notch talent in the agriculture industry can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But what if you had an untapped resource right under your nose to expand your talent pool? That’s where employee referrals come in.
Your best employees are often connected to other high-performing professionals, and tapping into those networks can transform your hiring strategy. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of referrals and how farm owners and agriculture employers can motivate their team to participate.
Between job postings, recruitment agencies, and the time spent on interviews, the costs of recruiting can add up quickly. Employee referrals offer a cost-effective and time-saving
alternative that can help you find great additions to your team. Here are a few reasons you should consider adding referrals to your hiring strategy.
Referrals can help you save on recruiting costs and reduce the amount of time it takes to fill open positions. Plus, happy employees are often willing to refer others without expecting much in return beyond a simple thank-you or small incentive.
No one knows your company culture better than your current employees. When they refer someone, it’s usually someone they believe will fit well in your work environment. That’s a shortcut to finding candidates who are likely to align with your values and goals.
Many companies experience employee turnover within the first 90 days of the candidate's employment. However, referred employees already have a built-in connection to your team, which helps them feel more comfortable and engaged from the get-go, helping reduce the risk of turnover. Less turnover means less time and money spent searching for a replacement hire.
It can be difficult to truly get to know who you’re hiring through just a few interviews. But when your employees vouch for someone, they’re putting their reputation on the line. That kind of endorsement speaks volumes about the quality of the individual, giving you some additional peace of mind about who you hire.
Getting your team to bring in referrals starts with motivating them to do so. Here are some practical tips to encourage your employees to refer their connections.
Whether it’s a cash bonus, a gift card, extra PTO, or a free lunch, offering a small gesture of appreciation can go a long way in motivating your employees to refer their contacts. You can even create a tiered system, offering bigger rewards for hard-to-fill positions or multiple referrals.
The less effort it takes, the more likely your team will participate in referring candidates. Create a simple system for submitting referrals, such as a simple online form.
It’s also helpful to keep employees up to date with your company’s openings and which roles are top priority to fill, so they can keep it top of mind when thinking about referrals.
Sometimes employees just need a nudge. Remind them how referrals can benefit everyone in the company, with fewer staffing shortages, a stronger team, and opportunities to work alongside people they already know and like.
Publicly acknowledge employees who bring in great candidates. A shoutout in a team meeting or a company-wide thank-you email can make people feel valued and more likely to participate in the future.
Employee referrals are a powerful tool that ag employers can use to build a high-performing team and a stronger culture. Referrals save time, cut recruiting costs, and help you find candidates who are fit for your company culture. By offering incentives and simplifying the referral process, you can turn your current employees into your best recruiters!
Sometimes, your farm or ag business needs hiring help beyond what a few referrals can do. That’s where AgHires comes in − the leading recruitment firm and job board for agriculture, horticulture, food production, biotech and related industries.
We offer a variety of hiring solutions to meet your needs, including job postings and advertising, candidate sourcing packages, and full-service recruitment for professional and executive level roles.
Ready to let AgHires take care of your toughest hiring challenges? Our team is ready to serve as your talent advisor throughout every step of the process. Contact us at 1-844-244-4737 or sales@aghires.com to learn more and get started.