How to Attract Staff When Doing Business in Spain

Spain is one of the most attractive countries in Europe for setting up a business. As the second largest country in Western Europe, it is a fast-growing nation with a promising economy. Expanding to that country sure set up your business for long-term growth opportunities.

However, succeeding in Spain goes beyond just finding your footing in the country. You need to have a team in place to help you carry out your vision to grow your business. For you to do this, you need to be able to attract the ideal candidates for your positions. So, how can you manage to do that when you are a foreigner in Spain? Here are some strategies that you can use to attract the right individuals for your organization.

1.       Write a well-targeted job post

Spain has been hit with a high employment rate for the longest time. You can expect that a single job posting will attract lots of applications, including the less qualified. To save yourself from the treacherous task of filtering through hundreds of applications, it is important that you draft a clear job description. Portray a clear picture of the candidate that you are looking for without leaving any detail. This will discourage anyone not qualified for the position from applying.

In addition, go beyond the usual job posts to create a post that will stand out. Ensure that you state your company’s culture, linking any videos that you have portraying the same. Anyone applying will get to weigh whether he or she can fit in your culture before applying- another clever way to limit the number of applicants.

2.       Post in popular sites

After drafting a compelling job post, it is paramount that you post it on the right platforms if you are to reach the people you are targeting. Jobseekers in Spain camp in the popular job boards looking for jobs. These are the sites that you should be targeting with your job post. Among the popular job websites in Spain include InfoJobs, Barcelona Activa, Infoempleo, Laboris and Viadeo. LinkedIn is also popular among job seekers in the country.

3.       Build your brand image on social media

Your social media pages also provide a perfect platform for you to attract the ideal candidates. Work towards building a good reputation and improving your employer brand on all your social media pages. You can post videos of your employees’ testimonials and team building events to highlight your positive company culture. This will draw in the right candidates to your business.

However, it is important to note the social media platforms your ideal candidates frequent. Besides using the biggest platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, you should establish a presence in the local platforms in Spain such as Tuenti. In addition, it is important to use the local language of the region that you are targeting.

4.       Utilize your networks

Having networks in Spain is a good way to headhunt for employees. You can ask for referrals from your local networks that started business in the country before you. This is actually good since you are receiving individuals who are handpicked and vetted by your associates.

If you have not built a network yet, you can utilize professional organizations that have already built a network in the country. A Spanish PEO, for instance, is a good example of such an organization that has an expertise in matters of PEO, recruitment and payroll services. This company can help you expand internationally by providing these services whether with or without an established legal entity.

Using a PEO comes with an advantage for you. When hiring in Spain, it is important that you adhere to the Spanish labor law. In this case, you have to be conversant with the working hours, vacation days, off days, termination of contracts and social security among other complicated laws. Hiring through a PEO saves you from this tedious work, and lets you concentrate on growing your business.

 Conclusion

Attracting staff in a foreign country can be overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have much difference from how it is done in your home country. The secret lies in drafting a compelling job post stating everything that you need in an ideal employee, and posting it where job seekers frequent. In this case, post it in the popular sites in Spain. In addition, you want to make sure that you are hiring in compliance with the labor law in Spain. It is in your best interest to hire a lawyer or outsource the hiring process.