TikTok Recruits? Agents must employ younger staff

A major lettings sector supplier says the industry must do more to appeal to win employees from the TikTok generation.

These typically value quick and direct online information, video and online content, flexible working, sustainable credentials and more incentives, explains the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks.

The AIIC cites new data from employment experts Deverell Smith showing that there’s been a 77 per cent increase in companies offering flexibility in working practices following the pandemic.

“When it comes to recruiting, more flexible working opportunities need to be included and advertised to meet the interests of potential candidates,” insists Daniel Evans, chair of the AIIC.

“By being upfront at the start of the recruitment process about what flexible working looks like at the company, the incentives, and training on offer, candidates can get a better understanding about what the role has to offer them.”

He continues: “Regarding qualifications, a wide range of characteristics and skills are required to thrive in the property industry, but for many of those operating in the sector qualifications aren’t mandatory or even particularly encouraged. While this has its advantages in lowering the barrier to entry, and meaning new talent can be recruited without specific qualifications, thereby speeding the process up, it also has the downside of a less-qualified and specialised workforce.”

The property industry has faced issues in terms of attracting quality staff, he contends, hence the need to find innovative ways of recruiting.

“This could involve more property adverts on social media – not just LinkedIn or Twitter, but Instagram or TikTok or Snapchat, or the next big social media giant on the block. It could mean employers needing to offer more incentives in an increasingly competitive jobs market. Recruitment has increasingly become an online beast in recent years – most people now search for jobs online in the same way they search for houses, hotels of theatre tickets – and more of the process involved with employing someone is now online-based, but more could still be done.

“This generation, as many lazily say, is not entitled or wanting it all, but they will expect recruitment to move with the times.”