The 3 Steps You Need to Be Taking to Get Ahead of the Hiring Herd

The booming economy is great – until you’re in a position to hire for your small business. With unemployment rates below 5%, finding the right candidates is a challenge companies face in every industry. As your small business experts, we’re here to help you take the next steps to build your team (and maybe even find your next employee of the month.)

Perfect the Posting

“Remember the days when letting people know you were hiring was as simple as posting 100 words in the paper? Hundreds of job boards, dozens of social platforms, and even robots (AI technology) make finding candidates with the old “set it and forget it” method virtually impossible

Employers must actively participate in the recruiting process in order to get results, starting with a job posting that passes muster. Put your best foot forward by taking the time and effort to craft a post that is accurately representative of the position, your company, and your company culture. Be sure to include:

Position description: Summarize the day-to-day tasks that an employee in this position would be responsible for completing. Be specific.
Position requirements: Be open and straightforward about the education, work experience, and skill sets you are looking for in an ideal candidate.
Benefits: Some companies aren’t open to sharing salary estimates on job posts, but all companies should be outlining the benefits of an open position. This can include insurance benefits and vacation time, as well as other nice-to-haves such as bonus programs, tuition reimbursement, remote work flexibility, or a great company culture.
Details on the application process: Don’t keep applicants guessing on what happens next. Be sure to include all of the necessary steps that will happen between clicking “submit” to signing an offer.

Hiring is Just The Beginning

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Share Your HR Stories

You’ll likely be searching for candidates on more than one hiring platform. If a job board allows you to add photos, videos, or any brand customization, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity! A little extra effort customizing your listing will pay off in the long run. Remember, most candidates will be applying to multiple, sometimes dozens of different companies. Anything you can do to stick out in the mind of a potential candidate is worthwhile!

If you read this post you know it’s important to have a mission statement. Your mission statement will come in handy when hiring and sharing your story. Talented employees are looking to work at companies that align with their values, and every business has a story to tell. Take some time to share what makes your small business unique, and be sure to reiterate your company values during the interview process.

Stay Social

Don’t limit your posting to job boards alone, reach thousands of quality candidates by advertise your open positions on your company’s social media accounts. With around 70% percent of americans using social media – it’s a no brainer that the technology can help you get the right people in the door.

Try this: Encourage your employees to join in and post open opportunities on their own social media profiles such as LinkedIn or Facebook. Incentive-based employee advocacy programs can yield great results for your hiring team. Plus, talent knows talent! It’s very likely that your current employees have a network of like-minded peers with similar experience.

A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to hiring new talent. And remember, hiring doesn’t stop when the candidate accepts a position! Be sure to nurture new hires with effective onboarding and communication. A positive candidate experience is crucial for future referrals!

MEET MATT

As a Business Consultant for Bike Shops across the country, Matt is available to talk to independent bike dealers about overcoming their challenges every day.