Four steps to recruiting success

There are four steps to a recruitment programme that works:

1. Preparation

Draw up a list of members and non-members in your branch, section or workplace - the membership profile.

2. Planning

Identify non-members and your recruitment priorities - the recruitment action plan.

3. Action

Approach and recruit non-members.

4. Follow-up

Keep members in touch with Prospect.

This guide is designed to help representatives plan their recruiting step-by-step, either as an individual or with other reps from their workplace or branch. Recruiting non-members should be a regular activity for representatives all year round. All members should be encouraged to take part. Talking to friends and colleagues informally can be the best way to persuade them of the value of belonging to Prospect.

Something happening in your workplace or organisation is a spur to any recruitment campaign. Experience shows that the threat of redundancies, a new pay system or attacks on conditions usually trigger a flow of recruits to Prospect. Branches and sections should seek to identify key issues of the day and take advantage of them for recruitment purposes.

If an employer proposes to introduce a new appraisal system, for example, approach non-members with copies of our members' guides to One to One Interviews and Appealing Against Performance Appraisal, and urge them to join. If you are involved in a regrading exercise make sure non-members know it is Prospect that is doing the hard work of negotiating.

Recruitment courses or seminars are provided regularly by Prospect headquarters and can be organised for branches or sections through the Recruitment, Organisation and Members' Services department. Courses can be tailored to the particular needs of any branch or section. National Executive Committee speakers are also available.

Proceed to step 1: preparation