When you’re looking to hire motivated workers from other states, finding the right fit is key to attracting and retaining good people. Once you’ve defined your experience  and identified the type of employee who is looking for that experience, the next step is to determine where to find them.

So where are they? Well, that depends what you need. Are you looking for skilled adults? Motivated millennials? People comfortable in a rural environment? City slickers? Farmhands? Instead of casting a wide net, hone your focus on those who matter – find out what regions, states and communities have the highest concentrations of people who are your ideal fit, and target the places that offer the fewest opportunities for those people at home.

For example, below is an easy reference guide to youth unemployment figures by state. This was included in an article published by Governing.com entitled “Where Youth Unemployment Is Highest and Lowest.”

Small towns are a better source than big cities.

Mobilize has had a lot of success targeting smaller townships. Young people tend to be more eager to escape and explore, while larger cities tend to have more “helicopter parents,” making it more challenging to find those who are eager to start a new life.

The further, the better.

Don’t discount magnetic parental pull. The closer you recruit to home, the stronger that pull is going to be. Recruiting from a neighboring town can be a recipe for disaster – eventually a position will open up at home and they will leave. Don’t compete for the same staff as everyone else in your area. Cross the country to find people who are looking for a new life or a big adventure.

Remember – your perfect fit candidates are out there. Once you’ve defined your experience, you just have to target your search. Need help figuring out where to look? Talk to us!

Up next!

Summer staffing strategy #3: using the right resources. From job fairs to social media marketing, find out what works best for your seasonal recruitment. Read now.