The competition for talent is tight. Unemployment hovers at a 50-year low, putting employers in a tough spot for Recruiting high-impact employees.

Main Street needs employees, but finding qualified candidates remains a struggle.

According to Indeed, more than half (56%) of small businesses can’t find the right employees and 24% say it’s harder to recruit talent now than five years ago.

In 2019, small businesses can find qualified candidates and extend more offers by considering these top recruiting trends.

Recruiting Trend #1: Small Becomes a Selling Point

Small businesses often can’t compete when it comes to salary and benefits.

Stanford University research shows that, on average, bigger companies offer salaries that are 20% higher than smaller firms.

In 2019, Main Street can attract new employees by touting the benefits of working for a small firm.

Highlight your flexibility and culture and show candidates how they can advance their career at your company. Position your size as a positive.

Recruiting Trend #2: Social Media Grows as a Powerful Recruiting Tool

The year ahead is all about leveraging the reach of Social Media in your recruitment efforts.

More than 14 million people in the U.S. have used social media to find a new job, according to Staff.com, and 29% of job seekers consider social media their primary tool to find a job.

Small businesses can explore beyond LinkedIn and use Twitter and Facebook to share job openings. Aim to reach prospective hires where they hang out online and include videos and photos to showcase your company culture.

Main Street stores can also create a free listing on Google My Business to share job openings and updates.

Here are some other tips to reach talent via social media.

Recruiting Trend #3: Small Businesses Tap Into the Self-Employed Market

Expect the traditional worker-employee relationship to continue to evolve in 2019.

Workers are increasingly moving away from full-time jobs to pursue freelance or contract work. According to Upwork, half of all workers are predicted to be freelancers by 2020.

Looking ahead, Main Street must remain flexible when searching for people to fill roles. They can look beyond their local market or restructure open positions to make them more appealing to freelancers.

Recruiting Trend #4: Employer Branding Gains Momentum

It’s a job seeker’s market, and candidates have their pick of positions. To set your small business apart, it’s crucial to develop a strong and appealing brand.

According to LinkedIn, 75% of job seekers consider a company’s brand before applying for a job. They want to know what it’s like working for your company.

To attract job candidates, small businesses can build their brands in many simple, cost-effective ways.

They can engage with customers through a blog or social media. They can offer sales or specials around events or causes. Think about your company values and what matters most to your team

Be clear and consistent and make it easy for the right candidates to discover your company.

Refresh Your Recruiting Approach

To stand out in 2019, small businesses must take a fresh look at their recruiting strategies.

In a tight labor market, it’s more important than ever to keep an eye on the latest recruiting trends. As you search to fill open positions, try some new tactics to find the talent you need.

Main Street remains optimistic heading into the New Year. With the right people in place, small businesses can grow and thrive in 2019.