If there’s one factor that has an outsized impact—positive or negative—on e-commerce brands, it’s talent.
Recruiting can be a minefield, especially in fast-growing businesses. To help navigate these challenges, I reached out to e-commerce talent expert Carson Dimond for insights on attracting and retaining A-players for your brand. His advice is not only practical but also a game-changer if implemented correctly.
One of Carson’s key takeaways is this: Recruiting is a PR machine for your business. E-commerce is a niche industry where top talent often knows or networks with one another. Your hiring process can either position your brand as a talent magnet or repel the best candidates. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
How to Retain Your Best People
Your employees are your greatest asset, yet many brands focus disproportionately on hiring rather than retaining their top talent. According to Carson, companies that excel at retention make their team members almost “unpoachable” (his words: “Believe me, we’ve tried”).
Here’s how to do it:
Build Work Friendships
Employees stay longer when they feel connected to their colleagues. Foster team bonding through regular lunches, outings, and events. Without these efforts, top performers may feel isolated and start exploring other opportunities.
Recognize Good Work
It doesn’t take much to make employees feel appreciated—a simple, public “Great job!” can do wonders. Better yet, tie bonuses or other incentives to their contributions toward the company’s success. Ignore this, and you risk losing them to competitors who will.
Fixing the Second Interview: Don’t Lose Candidates Here
You wouldn’t launch a product without a clear plan, so why hire without one? Carson emphasizes that many brands make critical mistakes during the second interview, causing them to lose great candidates.
Here’s how to avoid those pitfalls:
Define the Role Clearly
Candidates need to understand what success looks like in the role. Be explicit about expectations, responsibilities, and growth potential. Without this clarity, candidates might accept other offers.
Involve Their Future Boss
Make sure the candidate meets their future manager during this stage. Skipping this step can lead to poor cultural fit or misaligned expectations, resulting in turnover shortly after hiring.
Discuss a 30/60/90-Day Plan
Provide a roadmap of what the first three months will look like, including key performance indicators (KPIs). Without this structure, candidates may feel uncertain about the role’s direction and walk away.
Full-Time vs. Freelancers: Making the Right Call
Deciding between hiring full-time employees or freelancers can significantly impact your business. While freelancers are often perceived as cost-saving solutions, that’s only true in specific scenarios.
Here’s how to make the right choice:
When to Use Freelancers
Freelancers are ideal for short-term projects or when you need flexibility. They allow you to test talent without long-term commitments. However, most top talent seeks full-time roles, so relying too heavily on freelancers for critical areas can hurt your business.
When to Hire Full-Time
Full-time employees offer long-term focus and a deeper understanding of your business. They’re invested in your company’s success and can grow with you over time. If you’re struggling to fill a full-time role, the issue may not be the candidates—it could be your job design or hiring process. An experienced recruiter can help you align your role with the current talent market.
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Final Thoughts
Hiring and retaining top e-commerce talent is both an art and a science. By focusing on creating a compelling workplace culture, optimizing your hiring process, and making strategic decisions about your workforce, you can build a team that drives growth and innovation for your brand.
Dimond Connect is a recruiting agency that specializes in ecommerce. Here’s a killer deal they’re offering for you:
- Dimond Connect will review your hiring process for free
- Get $4,000 off when you hire your first full-time person through Dimond Connect
To attract top-caliber talent faster, book time with Carson today
