How to Hire Employees for a New Business: Mindset Shifts Every Entrepreneur Needs

Starting a new business in India is an exciting journey, but scaling it requires building a strong team. For early-stage entrepreneurs, how to hire employees for a new business can feel overwhelming. In a recent episode of deAsra Foundation’s dreamBIG programme, headhunting expert Girish Tilak shared invaluable insights with Anand Godse on hiring for small businesses. 

From recognising when to hire to prioritising attitude over skills, we’ll explore practical hiring strategies for small businesses. For more resources, visit deAsra’s dreamBIG programme.

The Mindset Foundation for Hiring for Small Businesses

Girish Tilak stresses that success starts with the mind. “When hiring, rather than focusing on a candidate’s deficiencies, I look at how they can improve,” he says, highlighting the importance of a growth-oriented mindset in how to hire employees for a new business. New entrepreneurs must shift from doing everything themselves to trusting a team. By focusing on candidates’ potential and adaptability, you lay the groundwork for a team that drives growth.

Recognising the Right Time to Hire

A key question for new entrepreneurs is, “How do I hire an employee for my small business?” Girish identifies clear signs it’s time to hire:

• Missed Deadlines: Struggling to meet customer demands or complete tasks.
• Falling Quality: Declining product or service standards due to overwork.
• Burnout: Feeling stressed or unable to maintain focus on core activities.

A 2023 Entrepreneur.com study notes that 65% of small business owners hire when workload overwhelms capacity, echoing Girish’s insights. Recognising these signals early ensures hiring for small businesses supports sustainable growth without compromising quality.

Shifting from Solo to Team Mindset

New business owners often cling to an “I can do it all” mindset, a common barrier in hiring for small businesses. Girish explains, “It’s a journey from being self-employed to becoming an entrepreneur.” Delegation is critical for scaling, but it requires trust in others. 

To overcome this, embrace a collaborative mindset, focusing on candidates who share your vision. This shift answers, “How do I hire an employee for my small business?” by building a team that complements your strengths.

Prioritising Attitude Over Skills

When considering how to hire employees for a new business, Girish stresses attitude over expertise. “Make candidates feel the need is mutual – you need them as much as they need the job,” he advises. A can-do spirit, adaptability, and alignment with your goals are more valuable than perfect resumes. Hiring managers prefer candidates with a strong cultural fit over technical skills, as skills can be trained. For new businesses in sectors like food or retail, this approach ensures hiring strategies for small businesses foster long-term growth.

Crafting Simple Job Descriptions

A clear job description is essential for hiring for a small business. Girish recommends focusing on core tasks, essential skills, and practical factors like location. For example, a long commute in a city like Pune can impact performance. Avoid listing unnecessary qualifications that inflate costs.

Sourcing Talent for New Businesses

Finding candidates is a critical step in how to hire employees for a new business. Girish suggests starting with referrals for trust and reliability. Institutions like ITIs or alumni networks are ideal for technical or industry-specific roles. Online platforms, such as LinkedIn and Naukri.com, are powerful for hiring for small businesses. Create a professional online presence with posts showcasing your business’s story to attract talent. Girish also recommends hiring senior citizens for operational roles, leveraging their experience.

Evaluating Candidates Effectively

Effective evaluation is key to hiring strategies for small businesses. Girish advises using specific, close-ended questions to assess skills, like asking about recipe details for a food business or technical processes for manufacturing roles. Observe engagement to gauge attitude and involve your team to ensure cultural fit. A 2025 Harvard Business Review study found that structured interviews improve hiring success by 20%. Read here to know what a structured interview is.  This approach answers, “How do I hire an employee for my small business?” by selecting candidates who align with your vision.

Building Attraction Beyond Salary

Salary is important, but hiring for a small business relies on more than pay. Girish suggests sharing your business’s vision and credible connections, like supplying to a known brand. Maintain a professional social media presence, avoiding personal posts, to appeal to talent. Small gestures, like praising contributions or meeting a candidate’s family, boost retention and make how to hire employees for a new business more effective.

Fostering a Collaborative Culture

A team-oriented culture is vital for hiring employees for a new business. Girish describes hiring as a shift from “I” to “we,” balancing collective goals with individual recognition. Simple acts, like appreciating a timely delivery, foster belonging. Involving families, such as inviting a candidate’s spouse for a casual meeting, builds loyalty. These hiring strategies for small businesses create a workplace where talent thrives.

Leveraging Technology and Trends

Technology enhances hiring for small businesses. Girish recommends using platforms like LinkedIn and Internshala to connect with talent. Use SEO and keywords in job posts to reach candidates. Social media also helps track customer expectations, guiding the skills you need. Staying tech-savvy ensures hiring strategies for small businesses remain competitive as quality standards rise.

Navigating Retention Challenges

Retention is a concern for new businesses in the gig economy. Girish advises focusing on value over long-term loyalty, suggesting hires from stable backgrounds and growth opportunities. A 2025 Forbes study shows 50% of employees leave for better prospects, so recognition and family involvement are key. These steps strengthen how to hire employees for a new business by encouraging employees to stay.

Conclusion

Hiring for a new business is a pivotal step toward growth. Girish Tilak’s expert advice, blended with online insights, offers a clear path for how to hire employees for a new business. By embracing a collaborative mindset, recognising hiring signals, prioritising attitude, and leveraging technology, entrepreneurs can build teams that drive success.

Explore more at deAsra’s dreamBIG programme and deAsra’s blog to refine your hiring strategies for small businesses and take your venture to new heights.

FAQs

1. How do I hire an employee for my small business with no hiring experience?

Start with referrals and simple job descriptions, focusing on attitude. Use social media to attract talent while branding your business, as Girish Tilak suggests.

2. What are the key hiring strategies for small businesses to find the right talent?

Tap referrals, ITIs, and platforms like LinkedIn. Share your business story and involve your team in interviews to ensure fit, per Girish Tilak’s advice.

3. When should I start hiring for a small business as a new entrepreneur?

Hire when you miss deadlines, quality drops, or feel burned out. Girish Tilak says these signs show it’s time for how to hire employees for a new business.

4. How can I write a job description for hiring for a small business?

List core tasks, skills, and practical factors like location. Keep it simple to attract suitable talent, as Girish Tilak recommends. Visit deAsra’s blog.

5. How do I retain employees when hiring for a small business?

Focus on value, offer growth, and recognise efforts. Girish Tilak suggests involving families to build loyalty, strengthening hiring strategies for small businesses.