HR Department

HIRING HAS ALWAYS been a task I enjoy. Interviewing the next generation of journalists, fresh from school or looking to grow beyond their first writing job. Or recruiting editors with the depth of knowledge and experience needed to help the PETS+ team meet and even exceed our next batch of goals.

All that said, I have never had to hire during a global pandemic.

In a recent Brain Squad survey, retailers and service providers shared their struggle to find quality candidates who would actually accept their offers. They said the tight job market and evolved employee expectations keep competition fierce for great hires.

But in that same survey, those who have added standout staff over the past two years generously outlined how they do it.

Their successful recruiting and intervewing practices can be found in “The Big Story: Help Wanted.” (p. 32) Whizbang! Retail Training’s Bob Negen contributes ideas, and Cause Digital Marketing’s Jane Harrell shares helpful hiring and retaining advice in her “OK, Kim” column (p. 44, bet you can guess what that headline refers to).

Speaking of keeping good employees, Brain Squad members had much to offer about this as well. We’ll be sharing those best practices at petsplusmag.com and in our ebulletins. Not yet a recipient of our daily delivery of pet industry news and tips? Sign up at petsplusmag.com/subscribe. That will also renew your subscription to the print magazine. It’s free, but you do have to request it each year.

As always, I hope the advice on these pages gives you fresh ideas to better your business — and grow your team.