Perks beyond pay help attract talent

By Sherry Slater | The Journal Gazette

Small businesses can attract top talent for job openings if managers pay attention to some important details, according to a local employment expert.

Rae Pearson, founder and president of Alpha Rae Personnel Inc., said not every capable job candidate is focused solely on the paycheck.

“People want to be treated right,” she said. “It's not all about the money.”

Some of the factors that can make the difference include flexible work hours that allow parents to attend school events and a working environment that makes employees feel valued, she said.

“You have to make people understand that they add value to your company – whether that's with bonuses or time off,” said Pearson, whose Fort Wayne staffing firm works with clients across the country.

It depends on the individual job candidate whether the biggest lures are money and upward mobility or time and a more relaxed atmosphere, she added. Some workers are willing to endure a stressful working environment, but most aren't.

“The employers that are offering benefits and a nice work environment – treating their employees well and that kind of thing – are not having any trouble hiring,” Pearson said.

One challenge that small businesses face is that a more relaxed atmosphere can sometimes lead to strong personalities damaging morale.

“It could be one person who is causing chaos in a company,” Pearson said. “Sometimes you have to get rid of that one rotten apple” to improve the culture.

Savvy employers also invest in training, she said. It's important to get new hires off to a solid start with the necessary support and guidance to succeed.

All employees, Pearson said, need to have a clear understanding of how their work contributes to the company's success.