Seven Steps To Successful Recruitment

by: Anne Day

Accountant, Sales Executive, Administrator, CEO… you have to wear so many hats when you start your own business, but hopefully there will come a day when your hard work and finances merit hiring staff to help you grow the business further.

1. Do your homework

But like everything else, it makes sense to do your homework. Think through exactly what you want this person to do and put it down on paper, this way your new employee knows what is expected and the job description forms a basis upon which to measure performance. Ask yourself if you are willing to invest time and resources in training someone, or are you looking for the person who has the experience and skills now. Think long term too as there may be tasks that this person could undertake with a bit of experience.

Find out what the going rate is for the tasks involved and work out what you can afford. It may be that you don’t need someone full time to start and part time suits everyone best. Ask around to find out if anyone knows of someone who might fit your bill. Check on your legal requirements as an employer.

2. Conduct a proper interview

Be business-like in your approach to hiring. Prepare for the interview, go through the resume and ask specific, open-ended questions. Find out what questions you can and cannot ask. Spend time in the interview process getting to know the person. During the interview, ask yourself if this person has the right personality to become part of your team. If you have other staff, will this person fit in?

3. Reality check

Consider setting up a test so you can see first hand if the person can truly deliver on the skills he or she claims to possess. Ask for examples from their past experience which demonstrate the specific skills you require. Provide case scenarios and ask what they would do, so you can gauge how they would respond in a real life situation.

4. Attitude is key

In a survey of the top 100 entrepreneurs, Profit Magazine found that they ranked attitude and the ability to work hard higher than skills and knowledge. Attitude is a key characteristic when hiring for any job but it’s not something you can usually glean from a resume.

5. Take up references

Don’t forget to ask for and take up references. Sometimes you can learn just as much about a person, from what the referee does not say, and you certainly need to know if the person was caught stealing, so protect yourself.

6. Put job offer in writing

Put your offer of employment in writing, spelling out the hours, salary and benefits, responsibilities and job requirements as this will prevent future misunderstandings.

7. Have a probationary period

Experts say that you can tell a person’s true colours in 90 days, so build in a probationary period, because hiring the wrong person can be a costly mistake, especially if you postpone in the inevitable.

Invest the time in making the right hire, because with a good team behind you, your business can grow in leaps and bounds.

Posted in: Human Resources