How to hire staff for almost nothing!

Hiring the right staff can make or break a business. But what if you’re working with a tight budget? The good news is that hiring great people doesn’t have to cost the earth, you just need the right strategy and time. Here's how…

1. Be clear on what you need

Before you even post a job ad, take a step back and think what it exactly that you need

• The tasks you want this person to do.
• The skills they must have versus the ones they can learn
• The kind of personality that fits your business culture.
• How they will fit into your business and who will be involved in the recruitment process.

2. Write a job ad, not a job description

A great job ad doesn’t just list duties—it sells the opportunity. Make it human, concise, and engaging. Be honest about the role, what’s expected, and what the person will gain (experience, flexibility, growth, etc.).

Pro tip: People are more likely to apply if they feel a connection to your mission or values, so don’t shy away from sharing your “why.”

3. Leverage free platforms

You don’t always need paid job boards to find talent. 

• Indeed (free version) – You can post jobs for free, especially for entry-level or part-time roles.
• LinkedIn – Post in your feed, ask your network to share, or list it in relevant LinkedIn groups.
• Facebook Groups – Local job groups or niche industry groups can be goldmines.
• Reddit – Subreddits like r/forhire or local city-based subs can attract more qualified candidates.
• Google My Business/Local boards – Post on your Google Business profile or community job boards (libraries, cafes, etc.).

4. Tap Into Your Network

Let people know you’re hiring! Email your contacts, message old coworkers, and tell your clients. 

Referrals can be more reliable than cold applications.

5. Use Trial Tasks Instead of Long Interviews

CVs only tell you so much. Instead of running multiple interviews, ask shortlisted candidates to complete a small, paid task that reflects the actual job. You’ll quickly see who can and who just talks.

6. Automate Where You Can

Use free tools like:

• Google Forms to collect applications.
• Outlook to schedule interviews.
• Trello to keep track of applicants

It can save you time and keeps things organised.

7. Be Human, Not Corporate

Especially if you're a small business or startup, ditch the robotic tone. People are drawn to people. Show some personality in your emails, your job ads, and your interview style. It builds trust and makes candidates more likely to say “yes” if you make an offer.

8. Follow Up—Always

Whether you hire someone or not, reply. It keeps your reputation strong and leaves the door open for future hires. A simple, ‘Thanks for applying but we’ve now filled the role’ goes a long way.

 
Final Thoughts

Hiring effectively doesn’t mean you have to spend the earth, but it does take time, which costs money. So, before you embark on a DIY campaign, make sure that you set aside the resources to see the process through to the end, so you don’t miss out on great talent who might end up working for one of your competitors if you drop the ball!

If you haven’t got the time, One to One Personnel can help you with your internal processes, and we can run the whole campaign for you, too, so you can focus on building your business while a team of professionals does the hard work for you. 

On the other hand, there is always luck, but we can't recommend that as a reliable strategy!