While there are rarely overnight solutions to grand problems, there are easy-to-implement tactics which can radically improve your recruitment processes.
It starts with understanding the challenges faced by Australian candidates.
Global recruitment firm Robert Half recently revealed a long list of frustrations experienced by jobseekers, including slow feedback about their application, delayed decision-making and poor communication from prospective employers.
The research also revealed that 47% of jobseekers apply for ten or more roles at the same time. Around 73% regularly receive multiple job offers, and 38% “often” or “always” get more than one offer. As the proof is in the pudding, it’s time to improve your recruitment strategy and secure your next top talent.
Here are five tips for successful small business recruitment:
1. STRENGTHEN YOUR NETWORKS
For small business recruitment, networks are everything. It’s critical to foster existing relationships and build new connections with potential candidates from your industry. Be present at sector events, get active in online forums, offer rewards for staff referrals, and use any available tools to help you grow a pool of relevant and engaged candidates.Communicate regularly with this audience of potential candidates, providing them with information—perhaps in the form of a monthly e-newsletter—on why you’re a competitive and attractive employer. Send them updates about your employee perks and professional development initiatives, and of course, any available roles you have going. Word of mouth and reputation still play a substantial role in attracting top talent to organisations, so ensure your small business is visible to relevant jobseekers ready to seize their next opportunity.
2. OFFER A UNIQUE EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE
A sure-fire way to recruit and retain top talent is to offer employees unique working experiences. As a small business, you may not have a gym on site or be able to provide daily lunches, but you can still make your organisation a sought-after and competitive workplace for the most capable candidates. Perhaps you offer flexible work arrangements and the ability to buy extra leave? Maybe it’s your renowned mentoring program that’s appealing to talent in your industry? And don’t forget about regular access to senior leaders in a small business like yours!Remember: making your organisation attractive to top talent needn’t cost an arm and a leg. Great employee initiatives are about respecting and engaging people, and ensuring candidates in the job market know about that. Get creative with what you can offer at your small business to inspire the best people to apply.
3. CANDIDATE BROWSING TOOL
This is your one-stop shop for relevant candidates. It’s as simple as the name suggests, providing a platform where business owners can browse for suitable candidates based on their unique and growing recruitment needs. After selecting candidates, business owners have the option of contacting the agency to set-up a meeting with them. It’s that simple.Whether you need a finance manager with SAP skills or an IT consultant from Queensland, this browsing tool cuts through to help small businesses surface the most relevant and suitable candidates from all across Australia. You can also search by technical expertise, language skills and years of experience to find the perfect candidate for your small business. Candidates are usually already vetted by the agency and are awaiting the next exciting step in their career journey.
4. ENGAGE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media can significantly improve the efficacy and reach of your small business recruitment strategy. It provides a platform to talk generally about your organisational values, about your projects and most importantly for business owners, about your people, and your rationale and success in securing the best. Through social media functionality such as tagging, short-form content and direct messaging, you can communicate with candidates and industry leaders in a straightforward and highly personalised way. Don’t delay—now is the time to commit to using social media to support effective recruitment at your small business.5. NEVER STOP LEARNING
As business owners, you’ll always be required to be resourceful and to adapt to change. To best handle change and ensure you retain and inspire the best people while doing so, you’ll find yourself on a perpetual journey of discovery and learning. Seek out innovative and improved ways to manage your recruitment strategy at every turn. Read widely, attend industry events, undertake courses and see how other HR managers are handling challenges at their small businesses. While not always the easiest part of your job, this can certainly be one of the most rewarding.Follow these tips to ensure your small business invests smartly in its people and workplace. Because it’s time for a brilliant, stress-free recruitment strategy.