smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Employees are the most important resource that your company has. Anthony Karibian, co-founder and CEO of XLN Telecom, explains how SMEs can bag the best candidates.

Small is beautiful

All employees value a vibrant working environment. The office culture within smaller companies is typically more energetic and exciting than the hierarchical corporates, with advantages such as greater flexibility and smaller teams making for an attractive working environment. By emphasising these points to potential candidates, you’ll be playing to your company’s strengths.

Growth opportunities

You should also stress that in a small business employees will have the chance to assume roles of responsibility. Individuals have the opportunity to really contribute to the future of the company. And the organisational structure of smaller companies allows employees more access to senior management who, instead of being tucked away in an elusive top floor office, will be working right beside them,

Group effort

If you’ve got good people working for you, involve them in the recruitment process. Implement employee referral programmes to encourage your top players to reach out to their friends and ex-colleagues. This way you'll be widening your net to attract the highest calibre recruits.

First impressions count

Strong candidates have many career options and will undoubtedly be evaluating your company throughout the interview process, so make sure that you come across as professional and efficient throughout the interview process.

In order to achieve this, you will need to ask candidates the right questions. For example, if interviewing for a sales position, spend less time on the candidate’s academic performance and more on their ability to sell. Present them with mock situations so you can see their sales pitch in action. This way, you’ll be far likelier to choose the best person for the job and candidates will leave the interview with the impression that you and your business know what matters and what works.

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