Hwy. 40 Closing - Effect on Recruiting?

Of course it will!

For those of you not from St. Louis, there is going to be a major traffic artery closed for an extended period during construction. This will cause a profound change in the traffic patterns and drive times.  This isn't unique to St. Louis, I've seen drive times in Chicago and Dallas be a large decision factor in people changing jobs.

But how do you make it work for you?  Simple.  Pull out a map of the city.  Draw a line through the construction area.  Now estimate the drive time in either direction to 45 minutes.  Mark you client companies into each section.  Now mark all other companies that are your "client companies which you pull candidates from".  You've now got your plan.  Expect major shifts in employment in each of these sections.  Your target folks are the ones that aren't at clients, but on the opposite side of the dividing line. 

Your pitch to these candidates is; time and money.  If they are use to traveling less then this 45 minute mark, expect them to be very upset and bothered by the extra drive time, going to the same location.  Figure out per hour what they make, and equate it to dollars lost.  Out of their pockets and away from their families.  Now add that amount into the new salary.  It really makes a difference.

Drive times have made some differences in the past, but there is a unique opportunity here, to lead the pack, and turn it to your and the candidate's advantage.