By Ben Chhoa -- Don’t forget your employee’s post-hire needs Statistics Canada recently released a sobering fact that shows our economy is far from recovering from its ills. Since October 2008, the unemployment rate has increased 2.3 percentage points to 8.6 per cent, the highest rate in 11 years. So how is it that we in the North, in the midst of a global recession with thousands of people looking for work, continue to face labour shortages? And what can we do to recruit and retain skilled employees?

I have some first-hand experience in this matter. Just over two years ago, I was living in Vancouver and looking for work. In my search, I defined some requirements for my next job: I wanted a diverse and progressive experience, an environment that nurtured my passion for my industry, a spice of independence and adventure, and a location outside of Vancouver but still within Canada. When I saw the posting for an account manager position in Yellowknife, it fit my search requirements perfectly. But Yellowknife? Really? I had no idea what to expect.

As I debated moving from the West Coast to the North, I had plenty of unanswered questions about this place. How cold did it get? How many people live there? Was this going to be a dead end for my career? Finally, what about family and friends? How could I leave everyone I knew?

I’ll answer those questions a bit later. But here’s what helped me make the leap.

I looked up my potential employer, Outcrop, online. The website demonstrated a wide range of work, which was what I wanted to do. More importantly, I found articles complimenting Outcrop in Marketing Magazine, a leading trade publication. I could tell the company was well established, healthy and could offer me the career-advancing opportunities I was looking for.

I discovered that several people in my network of friends had spent time in the North. The silver lining on high turnover is there are a lot of ex-employees that will represent your brand, assuming, of course, they had a positive experience. These individuals helped dispel some myths and prepared me for the reality of living here.

Lastly, my arrival coincided with the company’s annual staff meeting – a time to get to know everyone in the company, to build friendships and professional relationships. It was comforting to know that there would be a venue where these first few companions could be found.

An ad posting is only the first step in securing a successful hire. You also need to be aware of your online reputation. This is particularly true for Northern companies that may not have a recognized presence in outside markets. As soon as someone sees your job posting, the first action before considering an application is to look at your website. But it goes beyond keeping your website up-to-date. It includes monitoring what others are saying about you. Search for your company’s name in blogs and news articles to see how your company is doing.

Secondly, conduct exit interviews and pay close attention to the results. Your employees are your front line ambassadors, representing your company and your brand. They also represent the North. As employees leave your company (and quite possibly the North), they continue to be your spokespeople. You need to know how they will speak about you. Perhaps their story will convince one of their peers to come up and take their place. They can be a powerful tool in breaking myths and addressing misconceptions.

Finally, help new employees integrate socially and professionally. It doesn’t take long for a person to get connected given the right opportunities, and those connections are strong incentives for retention. Building a social network through corporate sports teams, retreats or even a casual get-together after work helps them find groups of like-minded individuals that will provide them with a strong balance between work and life outside of work.

So to answer my original questions… how cold does it get? I’ve experienced minus-50 degrees, but I wear a parka, gloves and snow pants. It doesn’t bother me. Like anywhere else, you just need to be prepared. Plus, the summers make it completely worthwhile. How many people live here? The number is under 20,000, but among them are some really great friends who know how to have a good time. As for whether this job was a dead end for my career? Not a chance. In the North, there are responsibilities and opportunities you rarely get elsewhere.

What about family and friends? It’s true that sometimes you just miss the people back home. But between Skype, Facebook, and the ever-plummeting price of air travel, it’s easier than ever to stay connected with family and friends outside the North.

It all comes down to relationships and community. So as you’re planning your next recruiting drive, remember your employees’ post-hire needs. Make them feel at home and they just might make it their own.