Hiring has changed: what small businesses need to know
By Lauren Tam
The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce’s recent Chamber Breakfast brought together local businesses for networking, community connections and a timely conversation about one of the challenges facing employers: finding and keeping the right people.
The Chamber thanked StratusIQ for sponsoring the breakfast. Daniel Tucker, outside business sales representative, introduced members to the locally based fiber internet provider and its growth throughout El Paso County.
StratusIQ began building its network in the Falcon area and today operates hundreds of miles of fiber throughout the county, serving residential customers, businesses and organizations, including several area school districts. Tucker explained some of the advantages of a fiber network, including speed, reliability and resistance to weather-related interference.
Following the sponsor presentation, featured speaker Victor Granados of Robert Half turned the conversation to another type of business infrastructure: people.
Hiring looks different today
With nearly 20 years of recruiting experience in the Colorado Springs market, Granados said the way employers recruit and evaluate candidates has changed significantly.
One factor is artificial intelligence. Job seekers can now use AI to quickly tailor résumés to specific positions, making it increasingly difficult for employers to determine a candidate’s actual abilities from a résumé alone.
Granados encouraged employers to go beyond the application. Talk directly with candidates, conduct meaningful interviews, carefully check references and consider skills assessments or working interviews when appropriate.
Personal referrals also remain valuable, particularly because many skilled candidates are already employed and may not be actively searching job boards.
It isn’t just about salary
Small businesses may not always be able to compete with the salaries or benefits packages offered by large corporations, but Granados emphasized that compensation is only part of what employees consider.
Flexibility, paid time off, workplace culture, professional development, mentorship and connection to an organization’s mission can all influence where someone chooses to work — and whether they stay.
That creates opportunities for small businesses.
Granados encouraged employers to rethink traditional job postings. Rather than simply listing duties, hours and qualifications, businesses should communicate what makes their organization worth joining. What is the culture? What opportunities exist for growth? Why does the work matter?
Keeping good employees
Recruiting talent is only part of the equation. Retention begins with making employees feel like valued members of the team.
Granados challenged business owners to consider a simple question: If your best employee received another job offer today, what would make them stay?
Creating that connection can begin on an employee’s first day. Having equipment ready, introducing them to the team, taking them to lunch or simply making sure they feel expected and welcomed can set the tone for their experience with the company.
Mentorship is equally important. Experienced professionals have knowledge to share, while younger employees are often looking for opportunities to learn and develop their careers.
The tools used to recruit employees may be changing, but Granados’ message returned to something much more traditional: Relationships matter.
For Eastern Plains businesses, recruiting and retaining great employees means looking beyond the résumé, investing in people and creating a workplace where talented employees have a reason to stay.
Chamber meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at Grace Community Church, 9475 Grace Church View
