How do you attract qualified employees for your small business? Running a successful recruitment process for a small business can be challenging. Small businesses need to compete with large companies to hire qualified candidates. They also need to instill confidence in their growing brand to attract high-quality talent to work for them. Needless to say, that those small businesses that do succeed in hiring qualified candidates handle their hiring process a bit differently.

Job seekers scouring the internet for suitable jobs are thirsting for something different. They are eager to apply to profiles that offer unique perks and more control over their working hours. As a small business, you can use this as an opportunity to make your job posting stand out. Use your job postings to promote your company as a great place to work. Talk about your work from home policy or the support your workplace offers to working mothers. Such unique elements can make job seekers sit up and notice your job posting leading to more responses from qualified candidates.

How to Attract Qualified Employees for Small Businesses

Here’s a look at some concrete steps that you can take to hire qualified candidates for your small business –

1. Offer Pay Packages Competitive With the Market Rates

Small businesses tend to stick to the pay packages that they can afford. If the salary you offer is lower than the going rate for the job, talented candidates will not be interested in applying. If an analyst’s starting salary is $50,000 per year, why would anyone apply for a job that offers only $50,000 per year for the same job?

To find employees who are well-qualified for the job, the first step is to find out how much other businesses are offering for similar roles in the job market. Base your offer on that figure to ensure responses from worthy candidates.

2. Elevate Your Recruitment Process Using Technology

A small business recruitment process can benefit a lot from using the right technology. Use efficient software such as an applicant tracking system to expand your applicant pool and improve your screening process. Technology can streamline your hiring process and ensure that your recruiters respond timely to all candidates. Receiving a prompt response from the recruiter’s side, shows professionalism and respect for the candidate’s efforts. This is a subtle employer branding strategy that can establish your image as a small but systematic organization.

3. Highlight the Benefits of Working With a Small Business

Qualified candidates working in large organizations may not know the perks of working with small businesses. Emphasize the benefits you offer your employees to make your job postings attractive. Some small businesses give their employees the option to work from home or flexible working hours. Other unusual benefits include music nights at work, power-napping stations, gaming zones in the office and fitness allowances.

Including details about the perks and benefits, you offer your employees is a lucrative employer branding strategy. It enables you to position your company as a workplace that promotes work-life balance and makes the job prospect more appealing for qualified candidates.

4. Make the Job Posting Interesting & Unique

Applicants are more likely to apply to a job posting that they find interesting to read than something written using boilerplate text. Small business recruitment teams should make an effort to create unique job postings that catch qualified candidates’ attention. To attract qualified employees who are experienced and skilled, your job posting should be carefully drafted to reflect the correct details and get candidates interested in your company. Make sure to include information about what makes your organization unique and the benefits you offer your employees.

5. Leverage Your Current Talent Pool

Include a remunerative recommendation system in your recruiting process. Encourage your current employees to recommend suitable candidates who they think can be good recruitment. If your employees are happy at their job, they are likely to talk about their work with friends and ex-colleagues. Happy employees are the best source for finding qualified candidates that can be a good fit for your organization.

An employee giving a recommendation is giving your company a vote of confidence as an employer. Recommended candidates can usually be hired with a shorter interview process and prove to be a better cultural fit into your business compared to candidates sourced from outside.

Small businesses may face more significant challenges when it comes to finding employees who are qualified and experienced. But with persistent effort, you are sure to find many talented people who fit your team and are passionate to work with you. The secret is to think differently and try to make your small business recruitment process stand out from the crowd for the right reasons. Try a few or all of the recruitment strategies mentioned above to enhance your own recruitment game. Innovative employer branding strategies that showcase your strengths as an employer, creative job postings, and a smooth recruiting process can help you create a talent pool that empowers your small business.

Talk to us about the recruitment strategies that work for you and which don’t. We would love to hear from you!

Here’s another post about Strategies to Retain Your Employees. Also read this post about 7 Ways to Attract High Quality Employees.