These days, even just finding people to hire can be a chore – let alone finding the absolute best people for the job. In some ways, finding ideal employees can be the greatest challenge for a small business owner. Here are some things you can do to better your chances.
Know How to Advertise the Position
The applicants you receive for a job position will be determined by where and how you post job listings. The internet will be your best friend in this process – unless you’re the kind of business that just wants local unskilled labor, physical ads placed in your locality probably won’t automatically bring in the kind of people you’re looking for. Professional sites and social media like Indeed or LinkedIn will be key to getting the word out to a variety of individuals who will know exactly what they are looking for. Other sites, like Craigslist, will not likely bring in people with that level of professionalism – so make sure you make listings frequently, with multiple mediums of a higher reputation.
Conduct Interviews
Interviews are also very important. Resumes and online profiles can only get you so far – and after all, anybody can be dishonest. Interviews will help you get a good view of the applicant, their people skills, how they react under pressure, and how they respond to certain relevant problems that you pose to them. You will be able to connect with them on a human level that just isn’t possible without face-to-face communication. While the ideal interview would be in person – getting a full read on the individual and their body language – video calls on Zoom or other platforms can also work if circumstances require adjustment. You should come prepared to ask the right questions to find the best fit for the role.
Talk to Trusted Employees
Networking is important for employers, too. Talk to the employees that you trust to suggest good candidates. Focus on those who you now want to create a positive workplace environment for everybody. Offering incentives (like small bonuses) for recommended applicants or for referrals who get hired can also motivate your workers to suggest high-quality individuals. Referrals can also be garnered from previous employees and other people involved in the market of your local business.
Circumstances outside of your control may ultimately dictate your hiring decisions. Sometimes, the perfect person for filling a certain employee role is simply not around. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t try every trick in the book in order to uncover who and what your options are.