iCIMS Hire Expectations™

Every November, aspiring writers throughout the creative community participate in a mind-boggling writing frenzy known as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The goal of NaNoWriMo is to inspire both new and veteran writers to each write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days or less. While NaNoWriMo’s leadership and support groups provide feedback, pep talks, news updates, and fun tools to motivate the writers, the real work is completely up to the author. In the end, the writer is responsible for concepting, creating, writing, editing, finishing, and submitting the novel.

As a NaNoWriMo participant, I can attest to the chaos of the entire creative writing process that becomes my November. While I find it invigorating to join in on the writing spree, I am nearly burned out by the end of the month. On top of my quest to complete a novel, I have a full-time job and several side projects that are writing focused. Keeping up with my usual responsibilities in addition to NaNoWriMo can become extremely overwhelming. I typically make it to the end with most goals achieved, but not without losing a ton of sleep in the process.

So what does NaNoWriMo have to do with human resource management? A lot, if you compare the hectic pace and influx of creative writing that is NaNoWriMo with the high demand for new hires that many HR professionals face each November. As the end of the year approaches, companies begin preparing for seasonal hiring to accommodate business surges or for talent sourcing to align with strategic plans for the new year.

What are the lessons you can take away from the NaNoWriMo experience?

Plan in Advance – For NaNoWriMo, creating detailed outlines can help a writer stay on track. I try to sketch out the key elements that I need to include and where I want them to appear in the story. In the HR space, planning ahead can save time down the line when your workload increases. Automated checklists can help you outline and prepare in advance for talent requests. Knowing when hiring surges will occur and scheduling job posts in advance can help you stay ahead of deadlines and remain on track.

Equip Yourself – With creating writing, there are a few tools that can help the process run smoothly – a distraction-free word processor, ambient music, and a searchable thesaurus, to name a few. HR professionals can reach for a variety of tools as well, and an applicant tracking system can consolidate the tools you need to move forward efficiently. Streamlining sourcing, CRM, and onboarding materials with one system brings together the information you need more efficiently. With the proper tools, you can focus on results rather than process.

Avoid Burn Out – Since the point of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in 30 days (averaging more than 1600 words a day), creative burn out is almost inevitable. But human resource experts can avoid burn out by building a candidate pipeline to call upon when the need arises. Don’t wear yourself out managing your talent management needs in short-term sprints. Collect quality talent information along the way that you can store and come back to later when faced with a hiring surge.

Now that NaNoWriMo is over, I can recuperate and enjoy the upcoming holiday season…and give thoughtful consideration to whether I am up for the challenge of Script Frenzy next April.