Snagajob, the online job-search company and software developer, was recently named the best small company in the United States to work for by a group that advocates improved working environments.
And it's a good thing the firm, which has its headquarters in the Innsbrook area of Henrico County, snagged the award this year. The firm has grown from 150 to more than 300 employees in the past 10 months. Snagajob isn't much of a small business anymore.
Shawn Boyer, Snagajob's founder, said he thinks treating employees well and keeping them happy aren't just about public relations or having fun. He said after receiving the award that he is "convinced it drives a better bottom-line performance."
During a recent visit, it looked as if Snagajob's software engineers were almost sitting on top of one another, with their computers perched on plain folding tables. The rapid growth is driving the firm's move this fall to a new 67,000-square-foot building. The move roughly doubles the company's current office space.
Megan Overton, Snagajob's marketing manager for small- and medium-size businesses, joined the company in April, a month before she finished her MBA at the College of William and Mary. She said the company's rapid growth has created some obstacles.
"The biggest challenge is retaining the company's culture, keeping a relaxed environment while growing," Overton said.
The firm tries to share the culture with new employees at weekly meetings where the entire company gathers in one spot. There also are monthly events such as office Olympics, miniature golf tournaments and picnics.
Boyer started the company in 2000 after seeing few options online where people could hunt for internships and hourly jobs. Since that launch, the site has been focused on connecting employers with hourly and part-time workers. More than half the job-seekers who use the site are ages 18 to 32.
The company's customer "sweet spot," Overton said, is working with retailers, restaurants and other hospitality-sector companies.
The company's 2012 efforts will include building the resources available to small companies, allowing CEOs or hiring managers to see their turnover rates, employee records and even contact information, she said.
One recent small-business client was a gymnastics training facility. The gym was looking for an experienced coach, but a Craigslist job posting was turning up a wave of applications from high school students. Snagajob is working to develop products where applicants can fill out preliminary assessments and receive an internal "grade" that helps the hiring manager prioritize whom to talk to.
Overton said Snagajob tries to remember that a small-business owner might think about recruitment for only 10 or 15 minutes each day. She also said the firm's efforts to serve businesses of all stripes have forced the company to offer diverse products and services.
"We work for all kinds of businesses, and it can be tough to understand their needs and struggles," she said. "We have to make sure we take our services where the small businesses are."
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement