Hiring Employees

Recruiting the Right Personnel

Written by Samuel Muriithi for Gaebler Ventures

The task of finding and recruiting the best personnel for a new business outfit is not an easy one. Entrepreneurs who are just starting out face severe limitations in as far as the salaries and benefits they can offer to new employees -- as compared to larger establishments. This means that small businesses have to contend with hiring persons with minimal work experience. How does an entrepreneur find and recruit quality personnel?

If an entrepreneur cannot match the capital advantages that larger establishments use to hire the most skilled personnel available; not all is lost.

It is indeed very possible for the entrepreneur to turn this situation around and use it to the business' advantage. After finding and recruiting new personnel, the entrepreneur can embark on an effective skills training program that will see the personnel develop the same qualities as those employed elsewhere but with prior training. Where does an entrepreneur find and recruit quality personnel?

Using the classified ads

Probably one of the most effective methods to use in searching for new employees is to place advertisements in the 'Help Wanted' sections of local dailies. It is a method that is always guaranteed to draw the attention of a large number of applicants. The entrepreneur should have an ad that describes the job requirements including relevant education and work experience. The ad should also list the responsibilities that come with the job. Further, the ad should request for cover letters and resumes from the applicants. The cover letters should mention details including salary expectations and other relevant information. It is these resumes that the entrepreneur will then screen so as to find and recruit quality personnel.

Using employment agencies

This is another efficient method of finding and recruiting new personnel. Employment agencies work by keeping the records and qualifications of persons in the hunt for jobs. They earn fees from the jobseekers or the potential employers or both. There is much convenience in using this service in terms of reduced screening time etc but the entrepreneur will have to pay more as compared to using classified ads.

Using college placement services

Placement services are offered by many colleges free of charge. The entrepreneur can use this option in addition to either one of the aforementioned to find and recruit new personnel. This service is as simple as visiting a college placement department and accessing the records and qualifications of students and alumni looking for employment.

In-store ads

The entrepreneur can place ads calling for applicants with relevant skills and educational backgrounds. Interested persons will come to the store and fill out applications – they may be interviewed on the spot or be informed that successful applicants will be summoned for interviews at a later date.

Referrals

Finding and recruiting new personnel may be made easy courtesy of the entrepreneur's employees or friends. When these people act as referrals the persons they recommend to the entrepreneur for employment will need minimal screening; the referrals are considered reliable by the entrepreneur. The process has its shortcomings though – the entrepreneur will be best advised to apply uniform employment standards across the board and to get rid of any employee whose input takes away from the business' overall performance.

Samuel Muriithi is a business owner in Nairobi, Kenya. He has extensive international business experience in the United States and India.

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