15 Small Business Tips to Hiring Rock Star Talent
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Small businesses often tell us talent is their most valuable asset. With a lean, efficient team, every person is critical to success. But finding ‘rock star’ talent is a challenge - from identifying people who fit with your company’s unique values, to competing with big companies’ brands and perks. In addition, many small businesses are in regional centers with less than ample local talent. To learn more about overcoming these hurdles, we looked to a vibrant regional center: Blacksburg, Virginia. Earlier this year, local business leaders from the Roanoke-Blacksburg area convened for the first LinkedIn Live event, and shared the tactics they use to attract top talent. Check out the slideshow for a full list of best practices we discussed. To learn more about how to make the most of LinkedIn for your small business, visit us at http://smallbusiness.linkedin.com, or follow us on Twitter at @LinkedInSMB.
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15 Small Business Tips to Hiring Rock Star Talent
- 1. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 15 Small Business Tips to Hiring Rock Star Talent
- 2. In a small business, talent is your most valuable asset ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
- 3. Each addition to your team can drive huge gains ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. " " ‘Count on the best people outperforming the worst by about 10:1’* * Peopleware (1997), Tom DeMarco & Timothy Lister
- 4. But how do you find rock star talent with scarce time and resources? ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
- 5. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. First, lay the foundation Start with your story " "
- 6. Tell Your Personal Story on Your Profile Your team members are the business… • What defines you? • What do you value? • Who do you want to work with? • Why is your business exciting? • Why should others join you? • How do you lead?
- 7. Your Company Page: The Basics Create an information hub for talent to learn about your company by adding a logo, banner image, and description
- 8. Connect your Team Encourage fellow employees to add their current position at your company – they’ll appear directly on the Company Page
- 9. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Have a Clear Employee ‘Value Proposition’
- 10. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Have a Clear Employee ‘Value Proposition’ Culture Team Mission Compensation Growth Perks Workplace
- 11. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. You’ve created a company presence that attracts rock star talent " "
- 12. Now you’re ready to go out and find some ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
- 13. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. It’s time to flex the LinkedIn network Build your pipeline " "
- 14. Search on LinkedIn Search using keywords that illustrate the attributes you’re looking for in a candidate; quality talent might exist within your network
- 15. Search on LinkedIn Narrow down your results using search facets
- 16. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Engage in LinkedIn Groups Join groups that relate to your hiring goals to identify industry experts – they could make great candidates
- 17. Make use of the LinkedIn Algorithm Quickly identify LinkedIn members that closely match the attributes of a top candidate using the ’People Similar to’ section on their profile page
- 18. Get a warm introduction Leverage your network and get introduced to potential candidates through mutual connections
- 19. Reach out with InMail Message any potential candidate on LinkedIn with InMail. Show you’re being selective and highlight skills that make them an appealing candidate.
- 20. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Post a Job on LinkedIn Reach the right talent, across LinkedIn …whether they’re actively looking or not
- 21. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Consider Developing Entry- Level Talent “I wasn’t even thinking about hiring an intern until LinkedIn offered me a free student posting… now that person is full-time, and I’m going to do it again” - LinkedIn SMB CEO
- 22. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. You leveraged LinkedIn and created a top-notch shortlist " "
- 23. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Now make the perfect match Screen, interview, hire " "
- 24. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Do Your Homework Use mutual connections and shared networks, such as alumni or former employees, to assess a candidate’s strengths
- 25. “©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. When you’re hiring for an unfamiliar role - say, your first ever VP of Sales - make sure you calibrate. Meet with people in that function to learn ‘what good looks like’. – Katie, talent leader, investment company
- 26. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Know when to engage with the experts You may not have the time to dedicate to finding your next hire - and that’s OK. Instead, consider working with a recruiting agency.
- 27. “©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. The agency fee might seem astronomical, but the ROI is also astronomical when you get the right team member. – Jeff, startup CEO, San Francisco
- 28. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Finally, when you’ve chosen… Make a match, not a sale
- 29. “©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. How do you compete with big company offers? Well, if someone’s comparing you to a 10,000 person public company, you may have picked the wrong candidate. – Jeff, startup CEO, San Francisco
- 30. Start hiring now: Linkedin.com ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.