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Small Biz Hiring Binge
Small businesses appear to be planning a
hiring binge in the coming months, according to
the OPEN Small Business Network 2004 Semi-Annual
Monitor from American Express.
Nearly half (46 percent) of small businesses
surveyed report plans to hire more staff during
the next six months, up from 35 percent a year
ago. Among those businesses planning to hire, 33
percent said they are currently recruiting for
an open position.
The survey also found that businesses were more
likely planning to hire part-time employees (19
percent) than full-timers (11 percent). Fifteen
percent of the survey participants indicated
that they were planning to hire full- and
part-time staff.
What’s driving the anticipated hiring binge?
Growth ranked as the top reason, with 81 percent
of survey respondents saying that they need
additional staff to handle growing pains. In
addition, four out of ten said they needed to
hire seasonal help for the summer.
“Last fall, we began to see a mindset shift
among business owners from survival to growth,”
says Kerry Hatch, president and general manager
of OPEN: The Small Business Network from
American Express. “The sharp jump in optimism
and hiring plans this spring points to an even
sharper focus on growth.”
What You Can Do
If your small business will need extra
hands in the coming months, start recruiting
now. Don't wait until competition for talent
heats up. Here's what you can do to find
top-notch employees:
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Write a job
description for each position. This simple
first step will help you focus on the type of
employee you really need. It will also help you
develop interview questions that will separate
great job candidates from the mediocre.
-
Get employee
referrals. To find new workers, ask your
best employees for referrals. Your current
employees know the culture of your company as
well as the skills needed to do the job. They
might have friends who are a perfect fit.
-
Tap temporary
agencies. They’re a great source not only
for temp and seasonal workers, but also for
employees with specialized training. Here are
three agencies you can investigate online:
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Consider
seniors. If you need part-time help, older
workers can fill the opening. They’re
experienced, reliable and ready to work. Check
out www.seniors4hire.org, a national online
job board for employers and older workers. Or
contact a local senior citizen center.
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First
employee? Maybe you’ve been flying solo
and are ready to hire your first employee. If
so, you’ve got a lot to learn, from how to
legally write a help-wanted ad and a job
description to how to maintain a personnel
file. Get help with the free online Success
Skills Seminar “Do You Really Want to Be The
Boss?” at
entrepreneurialconnection.com.
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