Recruitment can be difficult at the best of times. It’s a subject that comes up on many management training courses, as it’s typically not something a new manager has had to take care of in the past. But before you go down the road of preparing yourself to be an excellent selector of human resource, you need to find a prospective employee.

There are many different ways in which you can find staff, including:

Local and National Press Advertising –
You can place an advert locally or nationally to try and get people to apply. This is a process which means you will have to put time and effort into deciding your advert content and layout, and put time and effort into sifting through the applications as they come in.

Employment Agencies –
These organisations will pro-actively search and preselect on your behalf but they are likely to charge at least a flat finders fee, and possibly a commission of first year salary.

Business Networks –
Utilise your professional business contacts as a source for information and recommendations over suitable staff. Also, since they are the type of people you associate with, they’ll have access to the type of people you want.

Industry/Professional Associations –
Many industries have professional associations which are a rich resource for suitable employees, who are members. If you can identify a professional body or association which is linked directly or indirectly to your industry, you’re likely to find well qualified people.