What potential HR struggles can early stage start-ups encounter?

With every great idea and every platform or app that promises to be the next great disturber, there is normally a common challenge faced by many SME’s and early stage start-ups, and that is hiring.

The hiring process can potentially be a long and drawn out process that is both time-consuming and expensive. Here are just some of the potential HR struggles that today’s start-ups face.

They neither possess the skills, tools or networks

Recruitment can be a fine art. Finding the right person is difficult enough and knowing where to look and having the appropriate networks to search for these people is a big initial challenge in itself. Then there’s assessment, in most early stage-ups, many of its senior officials will have to take on different hats and sometimes may have to go on instinct when looking to hire someone.

They don’t have the budget

In follow up to this point, with some early stage start-ups not possessing the appropriate HR skills, there may be need to call up on the service of others. This could be through posting on a job posting site, or hiring agency help which of course means investment. They may also not be in a position to hire a HR Professional full-time in their embryonic stage so don’t have a great deal of options. With Development as we know requiring huge investment, the cost of finding and hiring someone can be a daunting prospect.

They don’t have the time

A great idea can be just that and never see the light of day. Traction is key for the success of any start-up, and this needs to be almost immediate. Looking for someone to potentially hire can be a long and arduous process. Where you may get hundreds of applicants for one role, trawling through the many CV’s and profiles can be extremely time consuming and most senior figures will want their time and energy invested elsewhere.

They don’t have the control

All of these points lead to one issue, control, and the lack of it. Hiring someone is a big decision and something you feel you want to be a part of. Much like buying a house, hiring someone is something you want close control over from start to finish to ensure you’ve hired the right person and there’s no grey area or doubt left in mind. Leaving it in the hands of others isn’t something most start-ups are fond of but something they comply with due to their circumstances.

About the Author:

Chris Henry-Reeve has 7 years of experience in online content marketing, social media community management, as well as experience in public relations and creative project management. Chris is a regular commentator on retail and experience led marketing, plus societal changes and their impact on industries such as recruitment. He was responsible for the launch of a new marketing insight magazine entitled HATCH which enjoyed a distribution of 10,000 copies and saw it stocked in premium airport lounges and private members’ clubs such as SOHO House, as well as enjoying a live launch event attended by over 250 industry professionals. Chris also has consummate experience in video development and production, being responsible for the management of several marketing video case studies and previously working with an online video focused start-up.

About iContract:

iContract is an online platform transforming the hiring process of contractors in the field of legal, finance and tech.

Talent seekers can be instantly recommended to relevant contractors based on the specific needs of their company and the contract they are posting.

Ensuring more transparency in the contractor market, iContract matches you to contractors that are tailored to your unique needs. Reducing the need for long and arduous assessment processes such as CV trawling, iContract connects you to the right candidate quickly and effectively.