This is the first of a three-part series examining how a vibrant workplace culture may be preserved while experiencing rapid expansion. This installment focuses on recruitment, from the perspective of Forcura Recruiter Elizabeth Watson.
They say success often comes at a price. Entrepreneurs and startups, especially those in the tech industry, may be the most vulnerable regarding this adage. At Forcura, we’re highly aware of this, and that is why our leaders believe our supportive and collaborative workplace is important to preserve as our rapid growth continues.
As a recruiter on Forcura’s People team, I’m thrilled to represent the front line of this initiative. My job is to attract top talent to the company, while also seeking candidates who embody the company’s core values. We encourage our employees to be innovative, transparent, passionate, fun and bold. Forcura consistently conveys and celebrates these values within the organization, and this is what I try to articulate to candidates throughout the recruiting process, setting Forcura apart from other workplaces.
I am also responsible for ensuring the culture we promote is demonstrated to our candidates from the start. I’m like a tour guide, an ambassador for the company, rather than just an impersonal staffing professional. We recognize that employment is a mutual decision; we want them to want to work for us as much as we want them to be a part of our organization.
It is Forcura’s aim to provide all candidates with an extraordinary experience, whether or not they are offered a position. I advocate for the candidate as well as the company because establishing trust and support is important to us. Maintaining Forcura’s reputation in these ways, as an employer with values and as a delightful and exciting place to work, is of critical importance in such a highly competitive tech industry as ours.
Over the last few years, Forcura has been recognized by several organizations for being a great place to work and for its innovative leadership. These distinctions are obviously appealing to candidates, but to add flavor and context to these accolades, candidates have an opportunity to hear employees themselves speak positively about their workplace culture during the interview process. Hearing that directly from a current Forcura team member makes our culture much more real and tangible.
All these experiences reinforce Forcura’s reputation as an employer of choice, which has been instrumental in acquiring diverse and talented new hires who continue to bolster the company’s strategies.
Our preoccupation with cultural erosion has been provoked not only by the fact that Forcura is growing, but that it is occurring quickly. In May 2020, the company was awarded taxpayer-backed incentives from the city and state to expand our staff and keep our headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. Forcura will hire a minimum of 115 additional employees by the end of 2022, making us vulnerable to becoming more impersonable and corporate in nature.
From a recruitment standpoint, the volume becomes the biggest challenge. The number of applicants, interviews, and new hires multiplies quickly. Recruiting goes from being a part of one’s role to someone’s entire job. This high volume must be managed, and it must be done well.
Forcura believes it will successfully preserve its culture because we have been very intentional in our efforts, including the allocation of time and resources. For instance, a “Culture Team” comprised of employees from various teams promotes celebrations, service, and engagement opportunities for the entire company. Participants are dedicated to augmenting Forcura’s culture through shared experiences and best practices. This is just one of the ways that we are investing in attracting and retaining the right people.
While many startups become preoccupied with growth and lose sight of their original culture, Forcura is determined to do all it can to avoid the same pattern. Vigilance is the foundation of our company’s strategy, recognizing that working to preserve workplace culture during expansion is far more likely to succeed than attempting to create it or repair damage afterward.
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