Small businesses often tell us talent is their most valuable asset. With a lean, efficient team, every person is critical to success. But finding ‘rock star’ talent is a challenge - from identifying people who fit with your company’s unique values, to competing with big companies’ brands and perks. In addition, many small businesses are in regional centers with less than ample local talent. To learn more about overcoming these hurdles, we looked to a vibrant regional center: Blacksburg, Virginia. Earlier this year, local business leaders from the Roanoke-Blacksburg area convened for the first LinkedIn Live event, and shared the tactics they use to attract top talent. Check out the slideshow for a full list of best practices we discussed. To learn more about how to make the most of LinkedIn for your small business, visit us at http://smallbusiness.linkedin.com, or follow us on Twitter at @LinkedInSMB.

1. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
15 Small Business Tips to
Hiring Rock Star Talent

2. In a small business, talent
is your most valuable asset
©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

3. Each addition to your
team can drive huge gains
©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
" "
‘Count on the best
people outperforming
the worst by
about 10:1’*
* Peopleware (1997), Tom DeMarco & Timothy Lister

4. But how do you find
rock star talent
with scarce time and resources?
©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

5. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
First, lay the foundation
Start with your story
"  "

6. Tell Your
Personal Story
on Your Profile
Your team members are the
business…
• What defines you?
• What do you value?
• Who do you want to work with?
• Why is your business exciting?
• Why should others join you?
• How do you lead?

7. Your Company Page: The Basics
Create an information hub for talent to learn about your
company by adding a logo, banner image, and description

8. Connect your Team
Encourage fellow employees to add their current position at
your company – they’ll appear directly on the Company Page

9. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Have a Clear Employee ‘Value Proposition’

10. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Have a Clear Employee ‘Value Proposition’
Culture
Team
Mission
Compensation
Growth
Perks
Workplace

11. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
You’ve created a
company presence that
attracts rock star talent
"  "

12. Now you’re ready to
go out and find some
©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

13. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
It’s time to flex
the LinkedIn network
Build your pipeline
"  "

14. Search on LinkedIn
Search using keywords that illustrate the attributes you’re looking
for in a candidate; quality talent might exist within your network

15. Search on LinkedIn
Narrow down your results using search facets

16. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Engage in
LinkedIn Groups
Join groups that relate to your
hiring goals to identify industry
experts – they could make
great candidates

17. Make use of the LinkedIn Algorithm
Quickly identify LinkedIn members that closely match the attributes of a top
candidate using the ’People Similar to’ section on their profile page

18. Get a warm introduction
Leverage your network and get introduced
to potential candidates through mutual connections

19. Reach out with InMail
Message any potential candidate on LinkedIn with InMail. Show you’re
being selective and highlight skills that make them an appealing candidate.

20. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Post a Job on
LinkedIn
Reach the right talent,
across LinkedIn
…whether they’re actively
looking or not

21. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Consider
Developing Entry-
Level Talent
“I wasn’t even thinking
about hiring an intern until
LinkedIn offered me a free
student posting… now that
person is full-time, and I’m
going to do it again”
- LinkedIn SMB CEO

22. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
You leveraged LinkedIn and
created a top-notch shortlist
"  "

23. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Now make the perfect match
Screen, interview, hire
"  "

24. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Do Your
Homework
Use mutual connections
and shared networks, such
as alumni or former
employees, to assess a
candidate’s strengths

25. “©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
When you’re hiring for an unfamiliar role -
say, your first ever VP of Sales - make sure
you calibrate. Meet with people in that
function to learn ‘what good looks like’.
– Katie, talent leader, investment company

26. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Know when to engage with the experts
You may not have the time to dedicate to finding your next hire - and
that’s OK. Instead, consider working with a recruiting agency.

27. “©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
The agency fee might seem astronomical,
but the ROI is also astronomical when you
get the right team member.
– Jeff, startup CEO, San Francisco

28. ©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Finally, when you’ve chosen…
Make a match, not a sale

29. “©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
How do you compete with big company
offers? Well, if someone’s comparing you to
a 10,000 person public company, you may
have picked the wrong candidate.
– Jeff, startup CEO, San Francisco

30. Start hiring now:
Linkedin.com
©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.