7 Hiring Tasks that Small Business Leaders Can Outsource

In small businesses, it is commonplace to “build the plane while you’re flying it”. Because of the pace of growth, this is often necessary. But it can be draining - to your people, to your productivity, and to your bottom line.?

When processes and systems are built out of necessity, without the luxury of time or trained expertise involved in the design and implementation of them, it may result in inefficiencies and dollars wasted down the line. I’ve seen this be the case specifically where HR and people-related processes are concerned.?

You are likely to see greater ROI and impact by investing early in getting some HR expertise involved in the build-out of core processes. Whether it is ongoing advisement, a one-time consultation, or outsourcing specific HR tasks to an expert, this can prove a wise investment in the long run. Hiring is one such area where getting HR help can be beneficial to your small, scaling business.

If you are expecting to grow your team over the next 12 months (even by just a couple employees), it is a good idea to build and execute a streamlined process to power your hiring activities. However, the lack of internal expertise or bandwidth on your current team can make this difficult to do.

There’s hope though, by partnering with an HR professional on the design of effective hiring practices, you can create an efficient and reliable process that can be adopted as a core and repeatable process in your organization.

Here are 7 key hiring tasks, that when outsourced to an HR professional, can act as a game changer for your business, allowing your team to then focus more intently on their core responsibilities.

1) Creating a hiring strategy: Knowing you need to hire a new employee isn’t enough. Strategy around how to attract great talent, knowing where to find qualified individuals, and designing a reliable and unbiased process for ensuring alignment between what your company needs and what a candidate brings to your organization is key. If you don’t have a person on your team who has the time or expertise, this is a great place to get help. An HR expert can help design a strategy tailored to your company's goals and needs, ensuring you attract the right talent from the start.

2) Sourcing candidates: Skilled HR professionals know where to find top talent and can tap into networks and platforms that you might not be fully leveraging yet. Also, sourcing good candidates can be time-consuming if you are unfamiliar with where to look or don’t have a keen eye for identifying talent. By outsourcing this you are saving your team from hours of searching for candidates.

3) Screening candidates: For this area, both a good HR consultant and/or a good applicant tracking system (a great place to leverage technology and also minimize unconscious bias) can effectively filter candidates and help you down-select the candidates that will progress to the next stages.

4) Communicating with candidates: Maintaining a positive and professional candidate experience is crucial for your employer brand. An HR expert can manage all candidate interactions smoothly and efficiently, releasing you/your team to focus on other tasks.

5) Overseeing interview logistics: From scheduling to coordinating with interviewers, an HR professional can ensure that the process is seamless for both candidates and the interview team and is respectful of everyone’s time.

6) Conducting pre-employment checks: Thorough background and reference checks are essential for making informed hiring decisions and mitigating risks. This is another great place in the hiring process to leverage HR expertise by having your outsourced HR team administer and manage this important step.

7) Onboarding new hires: A structured onboarding process helps new employees integrate quickly and effectively, setting them up for success from day one. A comprehensive onboarding process that includes in-processing, systems setup, welcoming activities, training, and goal-setting can be developed by an HR professional working closely with the new hire's manager and other key stakeholders in your organization.

Investing in these areas through outsourcing or consultation not only streamlines your hiring process but also builds a strong foundation for future growth. By focusing on these critical tasks, you ensure that your team can stay focused on their core responsibilities, driving productivity and innovation.

In the fast-paced world of small business growth, having an HR expert in your corner can be a game-changer. It allows you to “build the plane” with greater stability and efficiency, ensuring you’re not just flying, but soaring towards your business goals.

What other tasks would you willingly hand off to an HR pro to ensure a great hiring experience for your team and prospective employees?