How Small Businesses Can Attract Top Talent

A business can achieve great things with the right people in place. Alas, when it comes to recruitment, many small businesses find it difficult to compete with larger, better-known companies that have the prestige and finances to attract the industry’s leading players.

While smaller businesses may be at a slight disadvantage when it comes to talent pulling power, they don’t have to be completely left behind. By incorporating a few smart strategies, smaller businesses can ensure that they, too, can appeal to top candidates, and in some cases, even make working for their business even more appealing than working for a bigger brand. 

Flexible Working Schedules

Your business can go a long way towards attracting talent by simply providing them with what they want. More than ever, employees want flexibility. It might not be possible to provide fully remote working arrangements, but a hybrid solution, in which employees work part of the week in the office, part wherever they want, is probably realistic. In fact, many employees prefer the hybrid working model out of all of them, since it offers the benefits of working from home while also giving them the chance to make connections with their colleagues in person. 

An Eye-Catching Office

Employees are also increasingly drawn to well-designed working spaces. After all, it’s not just what you do for work that counts, but where you do it. An eye-catching office, one that’s in line with your branding, features quality furnishings, and enjoys plenty of natural light, will make working for your business significantly more appealing. If your office currently doesn’t meet those standards, then working with office design consultants can help to put together a visually appealing, practical office that attracts candidates. Making an effort to create a great office will also bring the added benefit of boosting productivity and making a positive impression on your business visitors. 

Provide Training and Advancement Opportunities

Top candidates want to work for bigger brands because it usually helps with their career in one way or another. As a small business, you’re unlikely to have the prestige that means someone is happy to work for you just to get your name on their CV. 

But there are other ways you can make your business a place where people can get ahead. For instance, you could provide ongoing training, pay for employees to take courses, and offer opportunities for advancement. 

Have an Ongoing Recruitment Process

Many small businesses find themselves rushing through the hiring process because they simply need to fill a position, and that greatly increases the chances of hiring the wrong person. As such, it can be worthwhile having an ongoing recruitment process in which you’re continually on the lookout for leading candidates. Even if you don’t bring a potential employee on board immediately, it can be worthwhile nurturing relationships with candidates who you think might be a good fit in the future (via LinkedIn, for example). They might just say yes when a role does become free, and if not, they might know someone who is interested.