Recruitment tips for entrepreneurs and small businesses
Recruitment for small businesses differs significantly from recruitment at larger firms. Large enterprises make up only 0.1% of enterprises in Belgium, but employ 34.9% of Belgium’s working population (Statbel, 2024) Especially the high level of competition amongst companies in the job market makes it difficult for small businesses to get noticed. But that’s not the only difficulty. Small businesses are more limited in their use of resources, making it harder to compete for candidates.
Tip 1 A hiring process that’s reliable
Creating a solid recruitment process is often a low priority. But, when the time comes to recruit, it becomes an all-hands-on deck task for your team. When a single job opening clogs your inbox, and everything becomes overwhelming, then we have news for you. You’re in need of a new hiring process.
It’s worth knowing who’s responsible for the recruitment in your business, where you store incoming resumés and how you manage the applicants and their respective job interviews. By ensuring that your small business has a clear recruitment approach, you avoid becoming overwhelmed by the process. A clear process ensures you recruit high quality candidates with the least amount of effort on your part.
Tip 2: Show off what makes your business unique
Showing off what makes your company unique is very useful for small businesses that do not yet have a strong reputation. While companies like Google have a strong reputation for their distinctive features and values, small businesses have a lot to benefit from when it comes to showing their unique qualities. Doing this strengthens your brand image and improves your chances of hiring talent. Remember, a USP isn’t only important during a sales conversation. It’s the key to attracting talent.
Tip 3: Turn your team members into your recruiters
Using your team’s personal networks and online presence is a great way to reach more potential candidates. This approach helps give your company and job openings more exposure while making your business feel more approachable. By utilizing your employees’ connections, you also increase the chances of finding candidates who share your company’s values. Plus, word-of-mouth is incredibly effective—92% of people trust recommendations from friends and family more than traditional advertising (Nielsen)
Tip 4: Let your company culture do the talking
Being a small business gives you the advantage of being authentic in your job description. By writing your job postings in a way that highlights the personality of your team, you can grasp the attention of potential candidates in an authentic way. By presenting your company culture in the job description, you allow people to judge quite early in the recruitment process whether they are the right fit to help grow your small business.
Small businesses face unique challenges in recruitment due to resource limitations and intense competition in the job market. However, by creating a reliable hiring process, highlighting your unique qualities, leveraging your team’s networks, and emphasizing company culture, your small business can attract high-quality candidates and stand out in a competitive landscape.
