Last Updated on December 26, 2024

It can be a daunting task for businesses (especially startups) to find the right talent when you do not have relevant connections to hire through referrals and social networks.

In 2019, Linkedin published the results of a survey in relation to what small businesses strategies are in terms of finding the right talent, collected between October 30 and November 13, 2018, that revealed more than 80% of the respondents (1,000 U.S.-based business owners with 200 or less employees) found it difficult to reach enough job applicants to interview or hire.

Do you know how long it takes for a business to bring someone on board? According to Q&A: How Long Does the Hiring Process Take?, there is no definite answer to this question. Since this is highly dependent on your industry, expectations, type of employment, employee perks and benefits, etc., this process may take between 7 days and several weeks (sometimes even months).

Implementing advanced technologies can significantly make your life – as a business owner who is in need of finding the right talent to help you thrive in the digital age – easier. But this is not enough! You need “people” on your team acting as “operators”, “spokespeople”, “professionals” or “representatives” for your business (your brand) in order to be seen by your target audience – at least for now.

Ways to hire the right talent when not hiring through referrals

1. Job boards

Monster, Workopolis, Job Bank (Canada), and Glassdoor and Indeed are some of the most popular online job boards where offer businesses/employers to post their job postings.

Although this may not be the most efficient way to find the right fit, the advantage of using these job boards is to allow yourself to meet talented people outside of your circle.

2. Social media

Building your online presence is another great way to find the right talent. Therefore, creating your company social media profiles on social media such as Facebook and Linkedin, plays a prominent role in not only increasing your visibility but helping you attract more people to apply for the position.

The benefit of using social media to announce a position is to attract interested individuals who might already acknowledge your name.

3. Find Talent Through freelancing

It is very unlikely for an ambitious business owner not to consider to use contractors or freelancers for some projects. The foregoing message indicated that hiring the right talent may take a while – what if you need someone right now?

Finding the right talent for your temporary or permanent project through freelancing or hiring independent contractors is just as challenging as hiring a suitable employee. You should probably reevaluate if freelancing is the optimal solution and/or reconsider whether the person you have hired is actually the right talent for your business if the situations below are applicable to you:

• You are not willing to give away your company information (knowing these individuals may collaborate with your direct competitors simultaneously)
• You are not good at giving clear and thorough instructions in writing
• Your business needs a thorough reference check, background check and/or security check
• You use government funding or any funding that restricts who you can hire

Please be mindful that if you do not have a customized contract or agreement, and if it is not required for the person you hired to a) go above and beyond or b) conduct meticulous research before starting your project, you might end up paying for a gig that you wish you could have done it yourself in the first place.

If you are a startup – commonly known as the first 5 years of a new registered business – owner who juggles 5 different (unpaid) jobs, you certainly do not want that to happen.

The best practice for finding the right talent with limited resources

Whether you choose to post job postings on job boards or use social media to find like-minded people, please remember you are not alone.

Your business’s success rests on your shoulders. What you are going through 24/7 (e.g., stress and possibly mental distress) can be inconceivable to those who are not walking this journey with you. For this reason, it is highly recommended to check out our self-help articles or register our free webinars as needed.

You play a pivotal role in your company. As the key decision-maker, taking good care of your mental health should be unquestionably your priority.

The best practice for finding the right talent with limited resources is to have a sound business plan and solid marketing strategies. This helps you be more prepared and adaptable to change.

Takeaway

It can be difficult for business owners to delegate, but it is necessary. You are not a superhuman, after all. You need to rest and certainly deserve to take a vacation. Leveraging job boards and creating posts on social media to find the right talent are great ways to build your brand recognition and brand loyalty during growth. In the meantime, collaborating with suitable self-employed individuals frees you up to refresh your mind, body and soul. Building your brand reputation is necessary before making real connections. This can be an arduous process without proper and relevant human skills training. Visit https://berelevantnetwork.com/ to view the available services and learn how human skills development can help your team thrive in the fast-growing economies around the world.

References

Linkedin. (2019). How Small Businesses Attract and Hire Top Talent. https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/resources/talent-strategy/smb-attracting-top-talent

Berzman, R. (2023, April 7). Q&A: How Long Does the Hiring Process Take? https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/how-long-does-hiring-process-take