Recruitment 1st steps for small businesses

I remember the 1st lesson I learnt about recruitment. It wasn't even supposed to be a lesson, Mr Foluso Phillips founder of Phillips Consulting https://www.phillipsconsulting.net/ was just recounting war stories and he talked about the 1st time graduates were recruited into the firm. The firm knew they wanted smart, malleable, eager to learn grads. They knew the time period they wanted to spend in recruitment activities and the departments they would be moved into. They executed their plan as well drilled management consultants are wont  (or should be wont!) to do. They got in the sharpest and the brightest and then realised one small detail.....they had no work for them!

Now this might sound daft, but it is common in my experience for people to think that when the work load appears to be much or the books look to be in black and more ££ are forecasted to roll in, it's time to recruit. Only to find that the forecasted work is not quite what they envisioned it to be. So the question must be asked : is this really a recruitment matter? This is especially pertinent for small businesses because if the why and what is not as defined as the where, when, how and then who, you will end up with a person and set up yourself to fail them and them to fail you.

I find myself saying to hiring managers "First off do you really need to hire?". Ask yourself this before you go down this route as there are many options apart from recruitment when dealing with work load. Based on circumstances, location, budget there may be other creative resources e.g. looking to recruit a receptionist? Is it possible to share a receptionist with some other small business located near you? Looking to recruit a supervisor? Maybe it's time to promote someone and if development is a challenge maybe look at the NVQ route and also explore what support the Government can give you in this regard http://www.liveandlearnconsultancy.co.uk/adult-apprenticeship-nvq-list/ and https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/courses/typesoflearning/Pages/gettrainingatwork.aspx.

Perhaps what you need is short term support with work? Could this be an opportunity to give a job center applicant  a chance to learn AND earn? Need help with physical activities etc packing boxes, stuffing envelopes perhaps it's best you outsource this as it might be cheaper?

At the end of the day the benefit you have as a small business is the ability to see directly the impact you have on employees, that in itself is a grand challenge to make this relationship a positive one. Surely then as with all relationships it deserves the utmost care and attention that you can give it?