Selling Tucson to Your Job Candidates and Their Families
Did You Know...
• The median age of a Tucsonan is 32.8 years old? (That doesn't sound like a retirement city).
• According to Men's Fitness Magazine, Tucson is the 14th fittest city in the U.S.? (Just look in a mirror for confirmation).
• Mount Lemmon is the southernmost ski area in the United States? (With a slightly "abbreviated" ski season).
• Arizona has more parks and national monuments than any other state, more mountains than Switzerland, and more golf courses than Scotland (200+)? (Fore!)
While that information may be of some interest to a job candidate and family, there is so much more to keep in mind when "selling" folks on the many reasons one should consider Tucson as the place to live, work and play!
Through the years, we've had the pleasure to support many incredible HR professionals in their recruitment, relocation and retention of personnel. We can all agree that the expertise of an experienced, professional and forward-thinking HR recruiter is of great value.
Whether you are currently in a position to bring employees on board in your organization or you wish to look ahead to that time so as to be prepared — we would like to share with you what we have learned:
• Your job candidates and their families should be made to feel they are the most important people you have ever had the pleasure to meet.
• Become acquainted with the candidate prior to the first interview. Understand and address their motivations and questions.
• Realize an entire family may contribute to the offer accept/decline decision.
• Provide services to familiarize the candidate and family with the Tucson area — allowing enough lead time so all will flow smoothly. Misconceptions about living in Arizona will not have time to form if you provide assistance in the early-interview stages.
• Include a spouse/partner on the interview trip when warranted.
• Arrange an area tour and education of Tucson's housing market with an experienced real estate professional.
• Provide website links to the area schools — keeping in mind that not all families are test score-driven. You will want to keep in mind that there may be a special needs child or a family may be unable to afford to reside in certain areas of our city.
• Organize an opportunity (possibly lunch on interview day) for the candidate to meet with potential peers to have frank discussions about your organization.
• Allow some alone time for the candidate to digest all of the information.
• Communicate regularly with the candidate and those providing the Tucson education ensuring individual needs are met and concerns are addressed.
You will know you have done your job well if you leave each candidate to wonder: "If this potential employer treats my family and me this well as a candidate, exactly how amazing will it be to be on board there?"
For more information, contact Laurie Becker at Above & Beyond Relocation Services, 520-321-0007 ext. 803, or laurie.becker@aboveandbeyondrelo.com.