Recruitment for SMEs

Taking on new staff is a big decision for any company. But finding the right person for a small to medium-sized business can be crucial. Recruitment is time-consuming and expensive and it's vital that the new team member fits in as quickly as possible.

Recruitment should always be part of your long-term strategy. Think carefully about why you want to take on a new person - is it to replace someone who has left or retired, or do you need help to deal with a sudden big order or seasonal rush? Are there alternatives that would be cheaper and less disruptive?

BusinessLink, the Government's one-stop advice centre, suggests you consider the following options before deciding to recruit:

• re-organising the company structure
• sharing work among existing employees
• promoting existing staff
• asking part-time employees to consider full-time work
• improving the efficiency of the business
• offering overtime
• adopting flexible working so, for example, some staff can start earlier or later.

But remember that your workforce will soon spot if they're being exploited to save you the expense of recruiting.

What sort of person do you want?

Always find out why someone has left your business and consider what skills and experience you are losing. This may be a good time to take on someone with new expertise - for example, someone with knowledge of marketing or a particular production technique. Consider, too, alternatives to a permanent post: