Owners of small businesses know that hiring practices are important. Hiring goes beyond finding someone to watch the business while they’re away. Effective hiring can stimulate business growth. Bringing on employees who are passionate about the business’s central mission, belong to large networks of like-minded people and are naturally equipped to provide stellar customer service can catapult a small business to success.
Hiring people like this sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, small businesses often find effective hiring practices are simple in theory but hard to execute. Two common challenges small businesses face when hiring include thinking small and hiring quick.
To avoid the threat bad employees pose on good businesses, take a few minutes to review the common hiring mistakes small businesses make and how effective hiring practices can put the right person in the best job.
Common Hiring Mistakes Small Businesses Make
Small business owners must accomplish a lot of work with only a few resources. This is why it is common to rush through the hiring process without taking time to think through its many steps. For instance, rather than formulating a recruitment strategy, small business owners are quick to look for a person who has open availability. This overlooks key traits that are necessary to maintaining a healthy workplace, like strong character and compatibility. Similarly, the best candidate’s résumé may be overlooked because of a schedule conflict that may actually be negotiable.
By thinking too small and rushing through the hiring process, small businesses may threaten their success by bringing on employees who are not fit for the jobs. Avoid this at all costs by forming effective hiring practices.
How to Execute Effective Hiring Practices
Good small business employees are invaluable assets. When their passions align with the mission of the business and they feel connected to coworkers and customers, great things can happen. The best way to execute effective hiring practices is to follow these three steps:
- Have a Firm Understanding of the Business Mission Statement
Without a rock solid mission statement, small business employees can feel adrift. They need to be reminded constantly of why they show up for work every day (other than the pay cheque). With a mission that goes beyond the owner and into the community, a small business is more likely to connect with its employees in a way that promotes commitment.
- Get out in the Community and Build Relationships
Hanging up a “We’re Hiring” sign on the front door may not get the prospective job candidates a small business needs. In order to compile a team of hard-working, purpose driven individuals, it is important to get out in the community. Meet people, network and build relationships. When the time comes to hire new employees, let key people know of your plans and ask them for recommendations.
- Leverage Current Employees
The best people to ask for references are current employees. Ask them to reach out to their friends and acquaintances who seem like good fits for the job. Building up a team with like-minded, friendly people can energize the workplace.
Effective hiring practices are important to businesses of all sizes. But small businesses in particular need to employ these tactics. Rather than rushing to hire the first available candidate, it is important to find people who share the organization’s passion and are known throughout the community.
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