By Erika Bodell, Director of Business Development at TriStarr

How Covid, Uber and a French Bulldog Have Changed Talent Attraction Forever

Not so long ago, recruitment was a one-sided proposition. A company posted a job, candidates lined up, and whoever got the job, showed up, grateful to have been picked. Well, that era is over.

Today, job seekers have more leverage and higher expectations, shaped by cultural shifts, technological changes, and even their pandemic-era pets. The companies winning the talent game in Lancaster County, and beyond, aren’t necessarily the ones with the highest salaries. They’re the ones listening, adapting, and curating an employee experience that feels personal.

Flexibility Is the New Corner Office

Covid didn’t just change where we work…it changed what we value.

The next generation of workers wants control over their time. They’d rather have the freedom to pick up their kids after school or take a yoga class at lunch than to have a bigger office. Can some work be accomplished remotely?

Businesses that want to stay competitive should think beyond “9 to 5” and embrace hybrid schedules, compressed workweeks, or flexible start/end times. Flexibility isn’t a perk anymore; 
it’s an expectation.

Culture Counts More Than Ever

For younger workers especially, company culture is often the deciding factor. They want to know: Will I belong here? Will my work feel meaningful?

Uber® started the review revolution, but hiring has caught up. Today’s candidates are interviewing you just as much as you’re interviewing them. They’re checking Google® and Glassdoor® before they apply. They’re asking their network if your culture is as good as you say it is.

Lancaster employers need to invest in their culture and encourage employees to share authentic stories online. Culture isn’t what’s on the wall in your break room, it’s how people feel at 3pm on 
a random Tuesday.

A French Bulldog and the Future of Benefits

During the pandemic, many workers found companionship in a puppy, a sourdough starter, 
or a home gym. One of the most enduring shifts is how people view the extra perks they get from their employers.

The smartest businesses are rethinking benefits as customizable. They allow employees to pick what they value most…à la carte. Pet insurance for your Frenchie? Help towards paying-off student loans? A few extra days of PTO or a gym membership? This kind of flexibility signals that the company sees them as individuals, not just headcount.

Winning the Talent Game

The companies that are thriving in talent attraction, AND retention, have a few things in common:

• They offer genuine flexibility in work hours and location.
• They cultivate and live their corporate values, creating cultures that feel authentic.
• They treat benefits as personal, not one-size-fits-all.

The hiring market has shifted, and it’s not shifting back. Lancaster businesses that embrace these changes aren’t just filling roles faster; they’re building loyal, engaged teams that will stick around.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about salaries or job titles. It’s about creating a place where people (and yes, even their French Bulldogs) feel at home.

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