3 Ideas for Hiring Exceptional Employees in a Small Business

For the past fifteen years small businesses were responsible for sixty-four percent of the new jobs in the United States, according to SBA Office of Advocacy. So there is a great need for both full time and part time employees in small businesses.

Small businesses are doing better and now they need to hire to take advantage of the new employee tax credit and to ramp up production as the economy recovers.

Yet small business owners struggle when hiring new employees. Every business wants employees that are dependable, reliable and honest. But how do you find and hire employees that fit well in your business?

At times its impossible to find someone who fits in. A person that takes pride in their work and works with craftsmanship type results are a rare commodity. When small businesses make a decision to hire they general need that person right away. In other words its a rush job.

If you use common sense and some creative energy you can find the right person to fill that difficult to fill position quickly. But you can't cut corners. You need a five year forecast and job descriptions that fit your vision for the future. Armed with this type information start the process.

Referrals from Existing Long Term Employees

A good place to start is with existing long term employees. Ones that have been around a long time and are a pleasure to work with on a regular basis. The reason is that most people tend to hang around with hard working dependable people like themselves.

You can reasonably expect that people who know each other will work well together. There is absolutely nothing worse then feuding employees that refuse to give ground and make the workplace a living hell for everyone.

People who know each other are naturally competitive so hiring employee recommendations can create a healthy competition that increases production and helps to make the workplace upbeat.

Make sure you talk at length with both employees before you actually hire the referred prospect. Look for any animosity or reason that you think there is more information about their relationship then either is willing to discuss. Sometimes there are hidden secrets that can be picked up on by thoroughly interviewing both parties.

Network with People You Know Well

Talk with long time neighbors, church friends, school buddies or people you play or socialize with regularly. You never know when people are in need of a job but can't or don't know how to go about searching for one. But your pastor, adult child, doctor, neighbor, or anyone in your network has the power to be of help.

My wife was talking with a volunteer she has known for a while at my sons school and that person asked her if she had any openings and at the time she did not. Three months later she went back to that person to see if she still had an interest. It turned out she did and was a perfect fit for the company and for this employee as well.

So tap into your list of friends, acquaintances, vendors or long term relationships to find that diamond in the rough.

Call Local Schools for Help

If all else fails call a local school that trains people with the skills you are looking for to fill the position.

Students are excited to test their new learned skills and can be great long term employees. If you are looking for low skill part time employees the local high schools have programs that are geared to help students enter the work force instead of college. Students are more often energetic, responsible and dependable when it comes to their career.

No matter who you want to hire or were they came from make sure you talk with previous employers and check out their employee record to make sure they are what and who they say they are. It is always easier and cheaper to do a back ground check before you actually hire someone.

So next time you need to hire an employee in your business be creative look for employees where others do not.

Cite:

Inc, http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/04/improving-hiring-practices.html

SBA Office of Advocacy,http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/data.html