How Technology Can Help Small Businesses Find The Right Talent

While competing with larger firms can be challenging, small businesses have a range of powerful tools at their disposal to level the playing field. Embracing technology in their recruitment process allows SMEs to reach a wider talent pool, optimise their hiring strategies, and showcase their unique company culture.

In this article, we explore how small businesses can harness these digital tools to attract and secure the best talent in the market.

Can Technology Help Small Businesses Find The Right Talent?

Hiring can be a stressful and ultimately unsuccessful experience for many small firms. Yet the health of the country’s economy relies heavily on SME’s being able to employ the right talent that will drive their business forward.

That is why it’s crucial for SME’s to take advantage of modern recruitment technology to find the right talent. Especially as research shows there is a talent shortage in the IT and technology sector.

Focusing on These 5 Areas can Help Small Businesses Find The Right Talent

IT and Technology Recruitment Experts Can Help

Liaising with a specialist recruitment agency can give access to a variety of technologies to ensure talented individuals are identified. For example, recruitment firms can make more connections by employing a video conference interview service. By offering video as an alternative to face-to-face meetings they can screen candidates more efficiently.

Such methods also open up the possibility of identifying talented professionals who may be willing to relocate from other cities. Applicants may be willing to travel hundreds of miles for a final stage interview. However, they may not be able to logistically manage cross-country trips for preliminary screenings. Video conferencing technology solves this problem instantly.

Optimise Online Job Advertisements

A small advert in the local newspaper is unlikely to attract the ideal talent a small business is looking for. Especially if the role to be filled is based in the IT and technology field. Instead of wasting money on ineffective advertising methods, hiring managers can better concentrate their efforts in other areas.

For example, learning how job websites’ search engines work and search terms commonly used by job–seekers. Having such knowledge better enables small business to write job adverts which enable them to connect with the right talent.

Of course, advertising on job boards and maintaining the adverts can be costly and time-consuming. Alternatively, employing the services of a recruitment consultancy firm mean that you don’t need to make such an investment. Not to mention, investing time you may not have to learn new skills.

Bring Your Website Careers and Opportunities Page To Life

The first thing talented professionals do after reading a job advert is check out that company’s website. So make sure there is some useful information there regarding potential careers within your business.

It is also possible that talented professionals might identify their chosen employer without seeing an advert; Maybe they landed on your site following a search for permanent employment in a specific sector? In which case, they will be hoping to find worthwhile information about what working life is like at your company.

This is why small businesses must make sure they have an interesting careers and opportunities page. Furthermore, it should be easily navigated to from the website’s homepage.

Be Mobile Friendly

It is estimated that only around half of small to medium-sized businesses have made their websites mobile-friendly. This is a crazy statistic, especially given how ubiquitous smartphones are these days, especially with the Millennial generation.

Therefore, becoming mobile-friendly should be a priority for companies hoping to attract talent in the IT and technology sectors. Businesses might also take things a step further by enabling potential candidates to apply from their mobile device.

Have a Social Media Presence

Of course, it is a good idea for businesses of all sizes to have a social media presence. Although conveying employer branding through social media can be especially useful for small businesses trying to connect directly with talented professionals.

A business can engage with individuals on a personal level and use social media for dialogue and communication. The company can also use their social media platforms to give talented professionals insights into the culture of the company.

Additionally, social media enables businesses to show their softer side, that wouldn’t otherwise be possible to advertise. For example, displaying pictures or videos of charity fundraising events your team take part in.

Conclusion

Competing to hire tech talent in the same arena as larger firms with big advertising budgets is an age-old problem for SME’s. Although it is one that can be overcome with some tactical thinking. The important thing is to focus on where your strengths lie. If recruitment is not your strong point, enlisting the help of a recruitment firm with expertise in your sector can pay dividends in the long run.

Focusing on these above points can help small businesses find the right talent. If you’re a business owner who needs any advice on any of the above, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Or maybe you know a small business owner who could use a little help maximising their recruitment efforts? Please share this post with them on social media, they will surely thank you for it!