Independent Banker - May 2020 - 18

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themselves touting the tangible and intangible benefits of
working at a close-knit, human-centered organization in
order to recruit. For example, D.L. Evans Bank has leveraged
the value of being a family-owned community bank.
" I like to promote the fact that they can have a career here
and be a part of building something really special, " Nelson
says. " I explain that they will get to know the bank's executive
team and owners, and, conversely, they will get to know
the employees. It is a wonderful thing to be a member of a
bank family, rather than just an employee or a number. "
Sharing the story of community banking
For the Community Bank, the pitch to potential hires
involves its mix of Zanesville's lower cost of living with
access to big-city amenities-it's close to Columbus, Ohio-
and its emphasis on serving its community. A good benefits
package doesn't hurt, either.
" Our employees are truly involved in making the community
a better place to live and work, " Holsky says. " Being
invested in our communities is also more than just a tag
line. We have improved our benefits package and believe
that it is competitive in the marketplace. "
4 ways to find the talent you need
When it comes to getting the word out to potential
applicants, here are a few strategies that community
banks are trying.
Encourage referrals. Encourage your employees
to keep their eyes and ears open for high-quality
people in their own network-friends, neighbors, even
family members-who may be interested in starting
their career or forging a new path in community
banking. " By reaching out to others, we have had
success in finding more good-quality people, " says
Ben Nelson, senior vice president of residential
mortgage lending at D.L. Evans Bank in Burley, Idaho.
Leverage professional connections. If your
bank is looking for a particular background or
skill set, encourage team members to be on alert for
potential hires during the workday. " As a local bank,
our employees are active and out in the community
every day, making important connections and
demonstrating who we are. That is the best form of
talent acquisition advertising that I can think of, " says
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Diana Wheelock, senior
vice president of director
of human resources and
organizational development for Gorham Savings Bank
in Gorham, Maine.
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18 Q ICBA Independent Banker Q May 2020
Recruit online. Many community banks have
become or are becoming active on digital
hiring platforms. Popular websites include Indeed
and ZipRecruiter. " We have had great success with
online recruiting sites, " says Melissa Deal, executive
vice president and chief operations officer at The
Heritage Bank, a division of Heritage Southeast Bank,
in Hinesville, Ga.
Sell your community bank via social media.
Most community banks already have a
presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other
social media channels. While you're marketing
your community bank's products and services
to customers, be sure to show off your stellar
workplace, too.
Sharing these benefits is also key to Community Bank's
recruiting strategy. Like job posting websites, social media
can be a great way of showcasing employee success stories
and other ways it pays to work at a community bank. Holsky
says the bank's use of social media sets it apart from other
employers and can provide skeptics proof of its good culture.
" [Social media] is an effective way to share our activities
in the community, and we also spotlight our small business
customers and assist them in telling their stories, " he says.
" Seeing is believing, and our social media followers are able
to follow our activities and get a feel for our culture. "
In this way, a bank's reputation can speak for itself. And
when a social media follower or community member is looking
for work, they'll naturally look to the bank. Wheelock says
Gorham Savings Bank's brand speaks volumes. " So, if someone
is entertaining the idea of breaking into the financial
services industry, " she says,
" we are on their radar as an
employer of choice. "
William Atkinson is a writer
in Illinois.
Independent Banker - May 2020

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