Attracting Talent – simple recruitment strategies a company can follow to fill jobs in Africa

As a recruitment consultant at Datum Recruitment Services, focussed on building careers in Africa, one of the most common complaints by our clients relates to their inability to attract the right candidates and fill their job openings in Africa.

Unfortunately, many companies have not realised that there is a severe skills shortage globally, especially in senior and executive level positions. Many companies believe that if they advertise any vacancy, candidates will come rushing in to apply for these jobs.

Today, the candidate is in the driving seat. Any good candidate will have his or her pick of opportunities and will be constantly approached by recruiters and head-hunters offering jobs in Africa.

So, what can companies do to improve their marketability and recruit the talent they need to grow the business?

Firstly, companies need to market themselves appropriately. Websites need to be well designed and up to date. Companies should provide recruiters with their marketing materials such as brochures, so that candidates can understand the company better. One of the most common comments we receive from prospective candidates relates to the lack of a good website by the companies they are applying to.

Secondly, companies need to ensure that their HR policies are attractive for future employees. They need to have a well-managed HR function in place with well laid out career paths for their employees. These policies and career paths also need to be marketed to the prospective employees to attract them to the organisation.

Finally, companies need to realise that in order to attract professional talent, the companies must themselves be run professionally. Good candidates will want to be empowered and want professional freedom. Unless the company’s top management allows this, candidates will not be willing to work in this organisation.

What are your thoughts on this matter – what else can companies in Africa do to attract top talent?

Comment by Tim Spagnola on July 26, 2011 at 8:24am: Nikunj - thanks for this post and insight. One of the great thighs about the RBC is that we are global community. I appreciate you sharing the issues/struggles that you face in the African market. I wish I could offer a simple solution, but you outlined several steps that companies can follow to stand out from the crowd. Are top companies adopting your final point?

Comment by NIKUNJ SHAH on July 26, 2011 at 8:26am: Thanks for your comment, Tim. The top companies in Africa are definitely adopting forward thinking strategies to recruit and retain top talent and this is what allows them to compete effectively in the market. Companies that are unable to get their HR strategies right end up falling by the wayside and struggling to survive.

Comment by Paul Alfred on July 26, 2011 at 11:12am: Where in the Continent of Africa are you referring to North, South East or West Africa ... Any countries within in the continent in particular?

Comment by NIKUNJ SHAH on July 26, 2011 at 9:29pm: We recruit all over sub saharan Africa, from Nigeria across to Kenya and from Ethiopia down to Mozambique. Candidates tend to more reluctant to work in some of the smaller countries where the lack of information about the country creates a fear of the unknown.

Comment by Paul Alfred on July 27, 2011 at 12:12am: Ok ... But Governments also have responsibility with respect to how their Countries are perceived as well ...

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