Strategies for Getting Hired by Small Businesses
Whatever one’s hiring perspective, two things are clear:
– Small businesses should be part of every job-seeker’s employment search. Companies with fewer than 50 workers comprise 97% of all businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
– A different job-search strategy must be used in seeking employment with small businesses. That approach should emphasize referrals, personal contact, a winning personality and willingness to be flexible.
Small businesses generally cannot afford to hire search firms or post openings on job boards. The top way to learn about them will be through networking.
ClearRock offers the following advice on how to search for jobs with small businesses:
- Clearly convey your interest in part-time, contract, or temporary work. Many small businesses will be trying to keep their number of full-time employees below 50. That is the number at which full-time employees must receive health insurance. Employers may be looking for part-time or freelance alternatives to full-time workers.
- Concentrate on getting referrals from current employees, networking contacts and friends. Referrals are the top method small businesses use in hiring workers. Small businesses cannot afford the cost of new hires not working out and tend to add employees carefully, with referrals being more important.
- Your cover letter will count more in determining whether you are interviewed. Give extra attention to developing your cover letter. Show that you have an understanding of the business and demonstrate the immediate value you can bring if hired. Due to smaller staffs, it is important for small businesses to realize positive results from new hires quickly.
- The company’s owner may often be the decision maker for hiring. The company may not even have a human resource department or HR executive. You may realize better success by contacting the owner directly by email, letter, phone, or a combination of these.
- Exhibit qualities that will be particularly valuable to small employers – including flexibility, enthusiasm, motivation and excitement. Small businesses require employees to be able to handle several jobs at once. They also want workers who can motivate each other in an uncertain business environment.
- Chemistry with coworkers and your boss are more important due to smaller staffs and the necessity to work more closely together. Display qualities that are conducive to working together, including being easy to get along with, a sense of humor, and a caring and understanding nature.
- Be flexible about compensation. Small businesses generally will not be able to pay as much as larger companies. This is one reason why people are excluded on the basis of being ‘over-qualified.’ Explain that you expect to be able to help the company grow, so that all employees will be paid more, including you.
