How to Attract Graduates if You Run a Small or Medium Sized Firm
Small and medium sized firms can benefit a lot from hiring graduates, however, graduates usually do not seek employment in small to medium sized companies. This has changed in the recent years due to the rising unemployment among graduates but they still prefer larger companies. They often take a job in a small or medium sized firm to gain work experience in order to improve their chances of employment in larger companies. The question therefore is not how to attract graduates if you run a small or medium sized firm but how to retain them.
Hiring a graduate may have been proven return on investment, however, the investment pays off only if the graduate stays in the firm for a certain period of time. Despite the fact that graduates have been shown contribute to growth of businesses, it takes some time to train them for their workplace and implement their ideas. Meanwhile, they are not earning any money for the firm.
There are several ways to both attract and retain a graduate but in general, business owners especially those who run a small or medium sized firm should follow these three simple tips:
1. Competitive salary and bonuses. Most graduates like working in their field, however, none of them works for pleasure alone. It is crucial to give them a competitive salary because no one changes job easily if they are well paid for their work. A good idea is also to provide various bonuses either in the form of vacation, company cell phone, paid seminars, financial support for continuing education, etc.
2. Possibility of promotion. All graduates have high expectations for their professional life. Most of them are aware that they cannot immediately took the highest positions in the company, however, it is highly important that they are provided the possibility of promotion to a more responsible and better paid position if they will do their job well. Otherwise, they are highly likely to leave the firm as soon as they will be offered the desired workplace elsewhere.
3. Stimulating and motivating work environment. It may be true that everyone works for money, however, a good salary alone is not always enough to retain the best employees especially qualified ones. We all spend most of the day working and for that reason it is highly important to feel good on the workplace. Every employee should be provided all the necessary tools and equipment as well as to be allowed to express his or her opinion. Workers who feel appreciated for their work and are provided the best possible working conditions are less likely to leave the firm even if the competition is offering a better salary.
In the end it is important to mention that the decision to take a job or stay in the company is sometimes influenced by personal reasons. In this case, business owners have little tools to make the candidates/employees change their minds, however, it may help to offer them a possibility of part-time work or working from home if the workplace allows such solutions.