Hiring & Recruiting for Small Business in 2023

5 Essential Hiring Tips for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs:

    1. Leverage your network
    2. Know what you want
    3. Be flexible
    4. Build your brand
    5. Be selective

Some of us will remember the days of simply hanging a “Help Wanted” sign in a shop window to recruit new employees for a small business, but for the most part, those days are long gone. Hiring and recruiting for small businesses in 2023 can be a daunting, time consuming and expensive task, but it can also be an exciting opportunity to grow your team, and it is vital to the success of your business that it be done thoughtfully.

Changes in the job market and advances in technology have brought about the need for new business recruitment strategies, but by using the strategies we outline here, you can master the process of hiring for a small business. Taking the right steps now to find the best talent will help ensure your business has the most successful team possible going forward.

LinkedPhone serves the small business community with local & toll-free business numbers that work with your cell phone, desk phone, & laptop. Add a 2nd phone number to your cell phone with our mobile app. Talk & text with clients on the go. Add team members too. Finally break free from the desk phone. At LinkedPhone, freedom rings! 🔔📱💻☎️

Yes vs no icon

Hiring for Small Business Do's and Don'ts

When you’re in need of help, it can be tempting to move quickly and bypass important steps or to overlook key considerations. In order to ensure that your recruiting process is successful, we have identified some of the most important things to do and not to do. By following these do’s and don’ts, small business owners can ensure that they are starting off on the right track.

Recruiting Do's

    • Get a head start: Start the hiring process as soon as you know you need help, to ensure you have enough time to find the right candidate. It’s a good idea to keep an ongoing file of resumes to give you an extra head start when you suddenly find yourself in need of help.
    • Think outside the box: Consider candidates that don’t tick every box. Candidates that have unique life experiences or alternative education may have an edge on more traditional candidates. Give non-traditional candidates a chance to show you what unique assets they have to have to offer.
    • Utilize social media: Social media is a great way to reach potential candidates and showcase your business. Create job postings that showcase your business culture and tell people why you are a great business to work for.
    • Have a clear job description: Make sure that the job description is clear and concise, so candidates know exactly what the job entails.
    • Reject gracefully: No one wants to be ghosted when they’ve been waiting eagerly to find out if they got a job. Let rejected candidates know immediately that you’ve chosen another candidate, and be respectful in your wording. Honesty is important here. If you like the candidate and may consider them for a future role, let them know, but if that isn’t the case, be honest and avoid giving false hope.

Recruiting Don'ts

    • Don’t hurry: Take your time to find the right candidate and don't settle for a less-than-ideal fit. Even if you needed help as of yesterday, rushing the process may put you in an even worse position if the chosen candidate doesn’t work out.
    • Don't take their word for it: It is important to take the time to check references and get a better feel for the candidate's work experience and qualifications. Doing a quick internet search can highlight potential red flags and give you an idea who a person is outside of what they choose to present to a potential employer.
    • Don’t forget to impress: Don’t assume that the candidate will accept your offer. The best candidates are in high demand and the interview is an opportunity for you to impress them as much as it is an opportunity for them to impress you. Just like having a good value proposition for your customers is important to show why your business is unique, having a similar approach for potential employees will help ensure their interest. Give the candidate thorough information about your business culture and be sure to leave time in the interview for the candidate to ask questions.
    • Don’t hire unnecessarily: Hiring unnecessarily is a huge waste of your time and money. Making an effort to retain your best employees is one of the most important aspects of talent acquisition. Taking the extra steps to appreciate and advance your current employees will save you from unnecessary recruitment in business. Some businesses may also want to weigh the pros and cons of hiring a freelancer versus a new employee. If you consider a freelancer, find out whether hiring talent with online platforms like UpWork or Fiverr might be better for your business.
    • Don't neglect the interview process: The interview process is an important part of hiring and should not be overlooked. Prepare by familiarizing yourself with the candidate’s resume, and come with questions for the candidate and information about your business. Pay close to attention to both the candidate’s answers and body language.
Different Business Types - Sole Proprietorship Structure

The Importance of Business Recruitment Strategies

A business recruitment strategy is a plan of action with basic starting points to help you single out, attract and hire excellent candidates. The importance of business recruitment strategies cannot be understated. Having a strong recruitment strategy is essential for businesses of all sizes, but it’s especially important for small businesses, as they have fewer resources to work with and need to make sure they’re getting the most out of their recruiting efforts.

Turnover rate is higher than ever and employee turnover costs businesses a great deal both financially and in terms of productivity and customer satisfaction. Learning how to create a good recruitment strategy is one of the key skills every entrepreneur and small business owner needs to succeed. Doing so will help ensure that your business is able to attract the right people for the job and that you’re not wasting time and money on the wrong candidates.

Elevator Pitch Effectiveness - Practice Makes Perfect

How to Develop a Small Business Recruiting Strategy

Developing a recruitment strategy for your small business should include thoroughly researching the position to get a clear vision of the type of person you’re looking for. This means knowing what skills, experience, and qualities you need in a candidate. It’s also important to have a clear idea of what the job entails and to create a job description which accurately reflects the requirements.

Once you’ve done this, you can begin to think about the best ways to attract the right candidates. The digital world has revolutionized the way we recruit. From social media recruiting to video interviewing, there are a wide range of tools available to help small businesses identify, attract, and hire the best talent. Leveraging these tools can help small businesses access a diverse pool of applicants, reduce time-to-hire, and streamline the hiring process.

Follow these steps to develop a recruiting strategy for your small business:

    1. Assess your needs: Examine your current staffing needs and determine what roles need to be filled in order to reach your business goals.
    2. Research your industry: Research your industry's job market and find out what skills and qualifications are in high demand.
    3. Create a job description: Create a detailed job description that outlines the key responsibilities, qualifications, and experience needed for the role.
    4. Develop a timeline: Create a timeline for recruiting candidates, including scheduling job announcements and setting deadlines for receiving applications.
    5. Promote the role: There are many ways to recruit employees. Promote the role through job postings, social media, and word of mouth to reach qualified candidates.
    6. Screen and interview candidates: Screen resumes and conduct interviews to determine the best fit for the role.
    7. Make an offer: Make an offer to the successful candidate and provide them with all the necessary information about the role, such as salary and benefits.
    8. Follow up: Send polite and timely correspondence to all candidates that were not selected.
    9. Onboard new employee: Create an onboarding process to welcome the new employee and acclimate them to the company culture.
Lightbulb icon SMART goals

5 Hiring Tips for Small Business

1. Utilize Your Network

One of the best ways to find qualified candidates is to tap into your existing network. Ask your friends, family, and colleagues if they know anyone who might be a good fit for the job. Turn your network into your recruiters. You never know who might know someone who would be perfect for the job.

2. Know What You Want

Creating a clear and concise job description is essential for any small business hiring. It’s important to include all the necessary information, such as job duties, qualifications, and salary range. This will help ensure that you’re attracting the right type of candidates.

3. Be Flexible

When it comes to small business hiring, it’s important to be flexible. You may find that you’re able to get the job done with fewer hours or at a lower rate than you originally planned. This can help save you money and can also help you find the right candidate for the job. Have a solid vision of what you want, but be prepared to let your vision change as needed.

4. Build Your Brand

Small business branding is an important aspect in attracting the best talent. Creating a company culture that is compelling and advertising it will give an edge in attracting the best talent. Identify why your company is unique and what your company values to be sure you are attracting like-minded individuals.

5. Be Selective

Take your time to find the right candidate and don’t settle for someone who isn’t a good fit. This isn’t the time to be generous or charitable. Choose the candidate that will bring the most to your business.

B2B vs B2C

When to Consider Agencies for Business Hiring

In some cases, small businesses may want to consider working with a recruitment agency. This can be a great option if you’re looking to hire a large number of employees quickly or if you’re looking for a specific type of candidate. A recruitment agency knows how to recruit employees for your small business and can provide you with access to qualified candidates that you may not have been able to find on your own. When considering an agency, make sure to ask about their fees, the type of services they offer, and any other details that may be important to you.

Business Partnerships - How to Get More Customers for My Small Business

Optimize Your Communications for Small Business Hiring

At LinkedPhone, we want to see small businesses thrive, and we know hiring and recruiting can be a challenging process for entrepreneurs and small business owners. By following the small business hiring tips outlined above, you can get started hiring employees for a small business with the confidence that you are on the right track.

With our small business phone systems, you can drive growth and set your new employees up for success by helping them stay connected from anywhere. Sign up for a 7-day free trial from LinkedPhone today and find out what we can do for your business!

Business Growth Toolkit


Get the latest thought leadership insights on growing your business plus occasional LinkedPhone updates. We respect your inbox!

Small Business Resources


Add a Business Line to Your Cell Phone
Small Business Podcasts
Books for Business Growth
Small Business Mobile Apps
Top Entrepreneur Forums
The 30-Second Elevator Pitch
Perfect Voicemail Greetings
Add Click-to-Dial To Your Website
What is VoIP? How Does it Work?
Guide to Small Business Software
What is a Virtual Phone System?
How to Share a Team Phone Number
Toll-Free vs. Local Business Number
Learn the Parts of a Phone Number
Inspirational Small Business Quotes
Mastering the Art of the Cold Call

A special high five to Faith Dickens for her outstanding research and contributions to this article. We love working with and supporting like-minded entrepreneurs. Thank you Faith! ❤️

Get In Touch

We would love to hear from you.
Please contact us at any time with questions or feedback.

Get a Number Now - Try Us Free!