Two recent Global small-business surveys, the Mid-Year Small Business Report Card and Year-End SMB Survey, both seem to have a clear theme for 2014 — small business owners are going to be hiring. According to the research from the surveys, more than 77 percent of small businesses plan to staff up in 2014 by bringing on employees, paid interns or unpaid interns. It may have something to do with the fact that many entrepreneurs have made a New Year’s Resolution to find better work-life balance.
Of the many roles entrepreneurs handle themselves when getting their businesses up and running, the least popular is that of HR manager. Just two percent cited this mission-critical function as their favorite part of the job. If you are one of the entrepreneurs that are thinking about hiring in the New Year, we have some suggestions to hire wisely.
1. Clearly define the position.
You should keep in mind that people search for jobs based on keywords or industries. The more detailed a job description you can draft, the more appropriate your potential candidates will be and the better your chances of matching the right person with the role.
2. A flexible work policy may attract and retain better talent.
As long as your team can meet its goals and collaborate when needed, offering flexible schedules and office hours is a enormous selling point. Generally speaking, top talent does not want to sit in an office all day, rather they want the option to get their work done at a coffee shop or stay in their pajamas at home. According to the SMBs survey, 36 percent of small businesses plan to offer more flexible working environments to find better employees. Today’s world with mobile technologies and cloud services, you can attract these employees by offering them greater flexibility in when and where they work.
3. Do not rush the process.
Take your time to find the right candidate. According to an article in Business News Daily, you have a higher chance of hiring the wrong person for a role if you’re desperate to fill the position and rush the process. If you really need help right away, bring in temporary help while you carefully search for the right permanent candidate.
4. Remember to Onboard.
Make sure you have an up-to-date employee handbook and they receive a copy of it to review. Go over the policies with your new employee to make sure they understand your expectations. It is hard to be the new person who does not know all the processes, so the HR team, whoever that may consist of should ensure a smooth transition from candidate to employee.
Revolution Law Group is located in Greensboro, NC, and serves individuals and small businesses throughout the Triad and surrounding areas. To contact us please visit Revolution.law or call 336-333-7907.
The information included here is for informational purposes only, is not exhaustive of all considerations when creating documents, is not intended to be legal advice, and should not be relied upon for that purpose. We strongly recommend you consult with an attorney and do not attempt to create your own documents.