Five hiring tips any size business can employ

Whether you are launching a startup or have been around for decades you know the most important question is "Where is my next dollar coming from?". The next question you should be ask is "Where is my next great employee coming from?". The good news is they are often standing right in front of your cash register.

During a recent trip to Chipotle, I noticed some interested reading material while in line. It was a recruiting brochure in plain view for all of their customers to see. Let's break this down and find out how even small business employers can have a continual pool of candidates at the ready.

Assess your company's value. Make a list of everything you have to offer potential candidates, both hard dollars and the experience. What is your company's purpose? Are there any unique perks in working for you? What are career path options for employees at your firm?

Even if the path leads people away from your company it can still be a plus. Though I haven't worked at my first post college company in years I still get calls for positions simply because of that company's name on my resume.

Get the word out and don't over think it. In the era of social media and YouTube onw may feel compelled to create something with sizzle. Keep it simple, state the facts about why your company is the best place to work in town. Make small tri-folds and put them in all the high traffic areas of your stores.

Start with your fans. Particularly if you are in retail, let every customer know  you are growing the team. People that spend money in your business would also like to spend their time earning money their too.

Make it easy for people to apply. In an ideal world integrate an applicant tracking system into your website. Allowing candidates to complete their application online says your company is cool and relevant. It also makes managing and screening multiple applications much easier.

Advertise the URL or email address for people to apply on all of your digital and printed material that faces the public.

Follow up and keep in touch. When the applications start rolling in, get back to people right away, regardless of the answer. Your prompt reply is setting a standard of performance that you will expect every day.

If you are always accepting candidates (which is a good idea to do) clearly state a timeline of what to expect. "We will respond each Wednesday to all applications submitted the week prior." Over time you will build a list of candidates to pick from the next time you have a need to fill a position.

Just like marketing to paying customers, marketing the value of your company to future employees is a life blood for growth.


How do you advertise openings and attract great employees?

Your best employees would pay to do their job

Stop looking for candidates who spend time & money looking for a job. Your next great hire is paying to do what they love right now and they spend a ton of time advertising it. There is an affinity group for all manner of hobbies that are easily accessible due to the social web. In each of these networks people build rich profiles about their hobbies. Build relationships with these networks and you will have passionate profitable employees at your finger tips.

• A knitting supply retailer has a branded community site with over 30,000 members. If used correctly they should never have to pay to fill a position at any level in the company. 
• Local bike shops have done this for years. The kid who is always hanging around ends up sweeping floors, then becomes a technician, and eventually buys the shop when the current owner retires.
• IT staff can be found through any number of online forums. Check out bleepingcomputer.com and ask for help, you are now interviewing a candidate while getting a problem solved.
• If you need someone with a creative background hang out at deviantart.com. Users are showcasing their portfolio for you to see right from you desk. This site is such an authority that many animation and comic book companies demand to see your deviateart work before you can interview.

"I don't have a branded community or retail shop to turn consumers into employees." There still may be an answer for you. There is a network for just about everything. Join groups on meetup.com that are related you business. Offering employment opportunities adds value to the group which will increase it's member and your pool of candidates from which to pluck your next great employee.