A survey by Goldman Sachs found that the most significant problem facing small businesses today is finding and retaining qualified employees. To help small business owners deal with this challenge, we asked YEC members to share how they recruit top talent.
What is one method to attract top talent to a small business?
1. Promote flexible work options
Providing flexible work options, such as remote work, flexible hours, or a condensed workweek, can make your small business more attractive to top talent. I've found that promoting a healthy work-life balance helps us stand out from other companies in our industry. Don't forget to communicate your flexibility in job postings and during interviews to show potential hires one of the best benefits of joining your team. —Daman Jeet Singh, FunnelKit
2. Build a strong employer brand
One of the most effective ways to attract top talent as a small business is brand building. This may sound outrageous since you're a small business, but building a strong brand doesn't mean you have to go toe-to-toe with the industry giants. You just have to stand out from the competitors matching your operational capacity. You can build a strong brand by promoting a rich company culture and leveraging employee advocacy, showcasing the positive experiences of your team.
The goal here is to be a brand that the top talent would be proud to be associated with. Climbing the ladder in a small business is easier compared to working for a corporate giant, and the top talent knows that. So, promoting yourself as a respectable brand would give them the push they need to join your team. —Chris Klosowski, Easy Digital Downloads3. Offer competitive salary packages
One method to attract top talent to a small business is to offer a competitive salary. Small businesses often fall short when it comes to offering decent salary packages. They generally have to make do with a limited budget. So, they are not comfortable offering competitive remuneration.
This is one of the major factors that prevent them from attracting top talent in their respective industries. The potential candidates know their worth and have likely researched alternative salary packages for the available roles. So, you should give them an offer they can't refuse. It won't be easy, but it will definitely be worth it in the long run, as you'll be able to leverage the expertise of the best of the bunch. —Andrew Munro, AffiliateWP4. Commit to work-life integration
We've had success attracting top talent by emphasizing our commitment to work-life integration. Instead of just talking about work-life balance, we focus on how work can be a positive part of life, not something separate from it. We offer unlimited paid time off, encourage hobbies and side projects, and even provide stipends for personal development unrelated to work.
Our team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work—sharing their passions and personal experiences. This openness and eagerness to learn about everyone has helped us bond and grow our team beyond our wildest dreams. —Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights5. Showcase career growth opportunities
The best way to attract top talent to a small business is to showcase that you don't just care about the goals of the company, but also pay attention to the career aspirations of professionals on your team. You need to show aspiring applicants how you can help them grow and refine their skills.
Top talent not only seeks competitive remuneration and flexibility, but they also value the growth opportunities offered to them by employers. They'll likely prefer to work for one that shows the most potential for them to fulfill their career aspirations. —Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
