How to Hire a Top Notch HR Team for Your Small Business

Many small businesses make do without a specified HR team for years. This tends to work in the beginnings of your small business, but as your business grows and expands it is important for you to develop your own HR team.

Entrepreneur stresses the importance of HR and how having an HR team or resource can save your small business money.  It is mentioned in their article that you have two different options when it comes to developing your company’s HR – hiring your own expert or hiring outside help.

If you decide to hire your own HR expert, it is important to make sure you hire the best and that you provide what is needed so that your HR team can continue to be top notch.

Hire only the best

When you are interviewing for your HR team, make sure that you are not only focusing on cultural fit but also on experience and knowledge.  If you have at least one experienced leader on your HR team, you can then look to hiring more entry level.  Do NOT hire an entry level leader for this job.

HR can be a complicated department for someone to lead.  This department must be knowledgeable of hiring laws, recruiting, employment laws, the ins and outs of health benefits, as well as have strong communication skills.

Your HR team will be responsible for much of your company’s recruiting.  Be sure to hire an HR professional who has experience in this area – and I don’t mean to look for someone who knows how to place a job advertisement.  Look for a person with experience searching for talent needed, conducting initial candidate screens, etc.  When your HR leader has recruiting expertise, you will save your small business much time and money when it comes to filling positions.

In addition, interview HR candidates for their legal knowledge when it comes to hiring and employment laws.  If your small business conducts business in other countries, look for someone with knowledge and experience regarding work permits and visas in other countries.

Last, but not of least importance, interview your HR candidates for their communication skills.  Few things are worse than an HR leader who doesn’t communicate well with others.  Your HR team will need to be able to clearly explain benefits and walk your employees through their different options.  Also, your HR team will be responsible for initiating contact with potential new employees when recruiting. Don’t forego communication skills over legal knowledge and experience when hiring for your HR team.

Provide the best training

Anyone can hire the best in HR.  Maintaining and keeping the best HR team is the challenge.

If you want to ensure that your HR team continues to be the best, provide your team with the learning they need to continue growing.

Keep an eye out for training events that will keep your HR team up to date with any changes in employment laws.  Also, encourage your team to get involved in networking events that will keep them connected with other HR professionals.  This will help them to easily learn of new methods and techniques in the industry that they can apply within your small business.

Having a knowledgeable HR team can help keep your small business in line with legal requirements, thus providing protection for your business.

How do you make sure your small business has a top notch HR team?  Please share your tips in the comments below.