Selecting Employees for the Small Business: Recruitment and Interviews

In today’s small business market, selecting the right employee is just as important as finding a niche for your business. It is crucial that the people who are running the show behind the scenes are well chosen, professional, and a good fit for your company.

The first step you should take as a new small business owner is to determine the type of employee you desire. Create postings on job search engines, in newspapers, and get the word out that you are hiring. When prospective employees start sending their resumes, you will need to know what to look for in a good resume.

Resumes should be a short sales letter of sorts, highlighting a person’s experience, education, and goals. The resume should be concise and well written, with a professional and consistent format.

Key Items to Look for in a Well Written Resume:

• Heading with information to contact the prospective employee
• Objectives or goals that are realistic for the job
• Qualifications that align with your needs
• Education that is adequate for the job requirements
• Employment experience that is relevant to the position
• Other related skills or honors
• References or a portfolio upon request

Once you have found a few qualified applicants, contact them for an interview. Before conducting the interview, be prepared to ask questions based on the information in the applicant’s resume and determine how they would fit within your organization. Prepare to answer specific questions about how your small business operates and how it treats its employees. It is helpful to put yourself in a prospective employee’s position and think, “What would I need to know about a business before I agreed to work for them?”

The recruitment and hiring process is often shorthanded in the small business world. It is important that you, as a small business owner are well informed. Small businesses are competing with large corporations for the employee supply. You must be aware of the practices they use in order to garner a top notch employee.