THE RECRUITMENT OF MID- AND SENIORLEVEL MANAGERS IN SAUDI TECH STARTUPS: STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES

The purpose of this study is three-fold: 1) to explore the attributes that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) look for when recruiting mid- and senior-level managers; 2) to examine the strategies adopted to attract candidates; and 3) to discuss the key challenges in terms of attracting the desired talent and recruiting suitable personnel. This study analyzes primary data obtained from sixteen in-depth interviews with founders, managers, and human resources (HR) personnel working for e-commerce and technology start-ups. Normally, SMEs look for growth-driven, motivated candidates who possess certain qualifications and work experience. Moreover, SMEs mainly offer an attractive work environment and company culture that emphasizes growth and development. However, the dearth of skilled candidates, the risk of employee turnover, and the difficulty of attracting suitable candidates to accept the offered positions are some of the challenges faced by e-commerce and technology start-ups in Saudi Arabia. This study focuses on a portion of the SME sector which deals with the recruitment drive, and in provision of advice to the HR specialists in SMEs to guide their policies and current strategies. It also provides some insights into the secondary issue of staff retention and organizational guidelines for future appointments. This study presents the strategies utilized by SMEs to recruit mid- and senior-level managers, the desired attributes and characteristics that such candidates should possess, and the challenges that e-commerce and technology SMEs in Saudi Arabia currently face.