A business is only as good as the people you hire, so you want to attract fresh and exciting minds to help your company excel. Partnering with a business consultant is the first step toward creating a positive, empowering work environment for new and existing team members alike. Here’s how you can draw top talent to your company to maintain the highest levels of professionalism.

A Business Consultant’s Guide to Attracting New Hires

1. Invest in Your Employees

Employees go where they know they are respected, and they stay where they know they are valued. A lack of constructive criticism, needless nitpicking, imbalanced power structures, and interoffice politics can all lead to a toxic workplace. Talk to the employees you have now, see if they're happy, and invite them into a conversation about any improvements that can be made to help them feel more appreciated. Also, offer quality benefits: Insurance, paid time off, and retirement accounts are all enticing perks that can attract job seekers to your company. Even small benefits, like flexible scheduling or weekly company lunches, are appealing.

2. Let Job Seekers & Employees Know Your Expectations

Most people aren't mind readers, and what's listed in a classified ad or official job description is typically limited or vague. When talking to both potential and existing employees, take the time to discuss exactly what their job entails, what's expected of them, and what some common highs and lows are that they might encounter in a given day. Business consultants advise against creating unrealistic hopes, a picture-perfect view of the job, and opportunities that don't exist. Job hunters and employees want honesty, and they deserve to know what they're signing up for. Furthermore, most are excited by challenges and hard work, not dissuaded by them.

3. Practice Good Hiring Habits

Attracting the right people to your business requires solid human resource skills—and that's true whether you have three or 300 employees. Review every resume and cover letter you receive. For those submissions you're not interested in, send a standard acknowledgement of receipt that includes a respectful statement informing them they will not be moving forward in the process while also thanking them for their interest. With applicants you do want to interview, contact them promptly and arrange a time to meet. Don't drag out interviews; keep each meeting under an hour, and if necessary, call the applicant back later. If you have certain hiring requirements, like a multiple-interview process or testing procedures, let the applicant know during the first contact.

These tips will help you create a company culture that naturally draws people to your business. Business consultant Lori Yancey of Yancey Consulting is here to help at every step. With over two decades of experience, she offers business strategy and management consulting services to clients throughout the St. Charles County, MO, area. Call (314) 614-7542 or visit her office's website to schedule an appointment.