How to Attract Talented Engineers to Your Fledgling Business

Getting a fledgling business off the ground requires capital and talent. Hiring talented engineers to work at a startup can seem next to impossible, especially when a small business is competing against the juggernauts like Facebook or Google. Just because it’s difficult does not mean that it is impossible.

Don’t Compete with the Big Guys

Trying to recruit engineers from big-name companies like Facebook or Google to a startup is challenging. These engineers already have great jobs, they have great pay, and they are likely bombarded with invites from startups.

Instead, find individuals who have raw talent and are self-starters, with the education to back up both skill sets. An example would be an individual who has attained a master’s of engineering management degree. Raw talent can be molded into something great. New graduates are eager to start working and want to prove themselves.

Bring More Than Money to the Table

Engineers like money just like everyone else. But what drives engineers is the ability to solve a problem or to tackle something that’s challenging. When recruiting engineers to your fledgling business, highlight the engineering challenges your business will face and show why these challenges make working for your company more rewarding than working for more established firms.

Go Where the Job Seekers Are

Very few people remember what it was like to look through classified ads in the newspaper trying to find a job. Jobs are found online and that is where any potential engineering talent will be found.

Just posting a job opportunity online is not enough. Startup businesses looking for engineers must increase the visibility of their company in the marketplace. Even in the digital age, networking with other people and word-of-mouth referrals are king.

Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are great ways to advertise your jobs and to connect with talented engineers. Don’t just post job wanted ads. Use things like case studies and testimonials to show the viability of your company and the quality of future products with the goal of attracting candidates.

Offer Real World Training

Many engineers are entrepreneurial at heart. Their goal eventually is to found their own startup. Invite up and coming engineers to join a startup, learn the ropes, watch how the business grows, and receive an education that will allow them to eventually start up a business on their own.

Engineers are thinkers and tinkerers. If your startup offers them the opportunity to do both as well a challenging assignment, the ability to grow, and a competitive salary, it is likely that you will find it easier to attract engineers to your fledgling business.

Author: Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter from San Francisco, California. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here. If you are curious about a master’s of engineering management program, Anica suggests you check out the curriculum available at Ohio University, whose graduates go on to excel in the field.