Whenever there’s a tough labor market, like there is now, the spotlight returns to recruiting and interviewing skills. But retailers need to do a better job of developing a mindset of recruiting as a continual process, not an isolated event. Smart managers are building recruiting networks to find and attract the talent they need to meet critical goals, deliver frictionless customer experiences, and strengthen brand loyalty.

Once candidates are identified, though, all too often hiring managers end up making decisions based on “gut feeling” rather than specifics. Especially as the retail talent market becomes more competitive, managers need to sharpen their behavioral interviewing skills to determine whether the candidate is a good match for the store, the company’s culture, and brand. More skillful interviewers lead to better hires and will decrease turnover within the first 90-120 days.

Are your managers prepared to win the war for talent? 

Don’t miss our “War for Talent” Lite Bytes webinar, where we’ll share hiring strategies and practical tips your managers can apply to staff up for a successful holiday season and beyond. Special guest presenter Todd Bavol of Integrity Staffing will be sharing the latest labor market trends, specifically as they affect hiring in retail, Gen Z’s impact on the workplace, and what the implications are for your talent plans—as well as the skills today’s retail managers need to effectively recruit and interview for peak seasons and throughout the year.

Get all the details and register here.

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About Mary Beth Garcia

Mary Beth has worked with a variety of retail and hospitality clients as a strategic partner, delivering leadership, communications, retail programs, consulting, and executive coaching for such diverse companies as Academy Sports and Outdoors, Altar’d State, Amazon Fresh, Advanced Auto Parts, Bvlgari, Cardinal Health, Compass Group, Darden, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Foot Locker Group, Haggar Clothing, King Ranch, LVMH, Michaels, Saks Department Store Group, SMCP, Southeastern Grocers, TBC, TJX Companies, Ulta Beauty, and Whole Foods Market. Prior to her consulting work, Mary Beth spent more than 20 years in retail management and operations for companies such as Macys, g.Briggs, The Bombay Company, and Sunglass Hut International, holding numerous leadership positions in sales, store, district, and regional management and corporate communications, training, and operations. Based in Miami, FL, Mary Beth served on the Executive Advisory Board for the University of Florida’s Retail Education and Research Department from 2003-2014. She holds an A.A. Degree in Retail Management and Fashion Merchandising from Bauder College.