Hiring Advice for Your Small Business

According to Business Weekly, there are more than 28 million small businesses in the United States. As a small business owner, you not only face steep competition from other small companies in your industry; but you also face a lot of competition when it comes to hiring the best talent.

At the height of the recession, employers were in the driver's seat when it came to hiring. However, as of December 2014, the U.S. unemployment rate had dropped to just 5.6 percent— the lowest it's been since June 2008. Therefore, the tables are turning.

Regardless of what the economy is doing, it's in any small business owner's best interests to have an effective hiring process in place. If you don't have one, it's time to put one in place. Use these tips to ensure that you get the most bang for your hiring buck. If you have a hiring process in place, consider these points and adjust it as needed.

Consider Alternative Hiring Options - Taking on a new employee is a major commitment. All too often, employers hold onto less-than-optimal employees just to avoid going through the hiring process again. Don't get sucked into this trap. Instead, consider alternative options, such as temporary workers and independent contractors, to tide you over until you are ready to put in the effort that's needed to find someone truly exceptional.

Take Your Time - With so many balls to juggle, it's not surprising that small business owners often want to get hiring done as quickly as possible. That's especially true—and—understandable when replacing someone who left abruptly. No matter what the situation is, though, rushing is a mistake. Finding someone who's likely to last the long haul requires time and effort, so keep that in mind to avoid a lot of wasted time and aggravation.

Be Clear - There are lots of problems with generic help wanted ads. First, everyone and their brother applies, so you end up with a veritable avalanche of resumes and applications. Second, it makes it that much more difficult to zero in on candidates who really have what it takes. Therefore, be as specific as possible when writing job ads. Clearly define the position. Outline the specific duties that the role will entail. Provide an in-depth list of the skills that are required. Be blunt about mandatory skills, experience and education as well. You'll still get a ton of applications, but the going should be much smoother.

Emphasize the Perks of Working for a Small Business - To attract the most talented and qualified candidates, you need to sell the position and your business. Don't assume that you have less to offer than large corporations. Small businesses can often provide perks that their much larger counterparts simply can't. From offering flexible hours to allowing employees to work from home from time to time, outline the exciting, unique things that make working for your business so great.

Be Proactive - When hiring, small business owners often post job ads on the most popular Internet job boards and do little else. Chances are that you are aware of at least a few people in your industry who'd be perfect for the position you're trying to fill. Don't be afraid to reach out to them. The one caveat is approaching someone who works for a direct competitor. Don't handle that yourself. Have one of your employees or someone else who knows the individual do it instead.

Check who the Competition is hiring - Stumped about how to zero in on the most talented candidates for an open position? Try perusing competitors' help wanted ads for inspiration. In particular, focus on competitors who always seem to have the most talented employees. It could be that they are somehow phrasing their ads in a way that hasn't occurred to you.

Know where to look - Keep the nature of the position you're filling in mind when searching for qualified candidates. If it's a sales position, for instance, consider scouting around at industry trade shows. If it's more technical in nature, consider job boards and other resources that are geared toward such individuals.

Engage in Thorough Onboarding - After finding and hiring the perfect candidate, don't stop there. Things can unravel quickly if the new hire isn't brought up to speed properly. The onboarding process is just as important for small businesses as it is for larger ones. In many ways, it's easier for a smaller company to thoroughly onboard a new employee because the environment and culture are much more personal in general.

You've probably noticed a running theme among these tips: Hiring needs are more than just filling an empty position. With a more hands-on, thorough approach, a small business can engage in hiring that produces exceptional results every time.