The secret about people who live in small towns is that most of them have big, BIG dreams and aspirations. While many love the intimate, small-town feel, others get a 'fire in their belly' and crave the bigger suburb or city life. This type of dreamer makes for one hungry, excellent employee.

A lot of recruiters feel like they should only look in metropolitan areas or suburbs for great job candidates. There are, however, many benefits of looking in the country and more rural areas for stellar future employees.

The bigger the pond, the more fish are swimmin':

Your odds of finding the perfect employee will substantially increase if your broaden the area in which you are considering. Work ethic, drive, intelligence, and ability are certainly not limited to suburbs and cities. Cast a wider net to collect the best prospects.

Ready for a Trivial Pursuit break? Name the cast of this show from the '70s!


If you're over 40, you may remember The Clampets and their ceee-ment pond. Grannie is smiling from above, and she's here to remind you to that country folk are jus' grand!

Use social media to get the word out:

From Hollywood, CA, to 5th Avenue in NYC to Duck Pond Road in Weare, NH, yes, of course, this thing called the World Wide Web is up and running. Use it to get your word out, and be willing to consider applicants from any and all addresses.

Consider those who can and want to work from home:

The commute time decreases and the productivity increases when you've got responsible, hardworking employees who can and want to work from home. This has worked so well for hundreds of companies in the last couple of decades, and once again, the home address just simply does not matter.


This darned corn makes me so darned HAPPY! I'm just fit as a fiddle workin' from home!

Network with the local community organizers:

Hey, it worked for a gentleman named Barack Obama. It can work for you, as well. Local community organizers get to know the movers and shakers in their communities -- and every community has those go-getters. They are the ones you want.

Be sure to attract the very best potential employees for the companies that have given your their business to do so. Step outside of the cement box, and take at least a cyber-walk to some greener pastures. Your dream prospects might be ready to hike to an exciting future with you.

Happy trails!

Photo Credit: Hollywood0nlineTV

Valerie J. Wilson is a freelance writer for Gary Crittenden and many other individuals, companies, and organizations.