As a small business owner, you might worry that you’re losing the best candidates to larger employers who can offer more money and more attractive benefits.
But you actually have a key advantage in the recruiting war, career coach Linda Spiegel writes in the Wall Street Journal.
Large corporations often write some pretty dull ads when they’re seeking candidates. As Spiegel explains, they “tend to think that public relations-polished language lifted from the annual report is sufficient to demonstrate their employer brand.”
You, on the other hand, have the freedom to be much more creative in communicating your workplace culture — a key factor for many job-seekers, including millennials.
Among Spiegel’s suggestions:
- Emphasize your mission. This lets candidates know “if your values align with theirs.”
- Entice them to be part of something larger. Spiegel says you should “invite applicants to join your adventure.”
- Avoid writing a “laundry list of requirements.” What you really want is a person with the right character traits and attitude, along with the ability to learn whatever additional skills are needed.
Read more at the Wall Street Journal
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Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration
After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years."
Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations.
The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.
