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Small business owners sometimes have more trouble attracting talented candidates because of the perception they have less to offer than larger organizations. But a small organization can present great opportunities for candidates that might not be available in a big company.

In a larger organization a candidate is a “small fish in a big pond” and it may be harder to stand out. In a smaller company, a candidate is a “big fish in a small pond” and can have an immediate impact.  And like the old “Cheers” television series, in a small company “Everyone knows your name” and probably the name of your family members, cat or dog too!” 

When working on recruiting projects and training I ask questions like:

• Why would a candidate choose to work for your organization over another?
• What is your compelling story that says, “This is a great place to work?” 

Often I get hesitation or a confused look. If the person recruiting can’t articulate why a candidate would want to work for the organization, that message will come through loud and clear. Small organizations can brand themselves as a great place to work and offer compelling stories that illustrate why candidates should work for them. They can create a values based attraction and retention strategy sometimes more easily than a larger organization.

Are you having trouble attracting qualified candidates? Do you have an attraction strategy in place? What’s your story? Best practice HR initiatives and a compelling story will engage talented candidates.

Give us a call if you would like to develop a compelling story and best practice HR initiatives that will attract talented candidates. We can also develop a recruiting system and tools focussed on your business and industry, and educate your staff on how to use them effectively. We’ll teach you how to fish and attract talented candidates to your organization.

Stay tuned for next week’s post when you will discover the top ten ways small business attract talent.

Best regards, Joanne

Joanne Royce, Royce & Associates, Human Resources & Training Solutions, Creating Happy, Healthy, & Productive Workplaces.