So how are you going to make this the year that hiring goes more smoothly, more quickly, and more smoothly than ever before? Try these ideas on for size—one of them may be lacking from your process, but could be just what you need to hire right in 2016!
Don’t Rush It
While it would be great to get through the hiring process quickly, to avoid having a position left open for too long, some time does need to be spent on the back end. The best thing you can do is identify the key accountabilities needed to do the job well. Talk to the people who will be working with the new hire, including superiors and direct reports, to find out their thoughts and opinions. Getting their input should give you their buy-in and get them invested in the new hire’s success.
Consider the Individuals
With your notes in hand, think about what kind of person you really need to hire—it doesn’t need to be a clone of the last person who held the job successfully. Create a scorecard or checklist of key elements such as education, certifications, training and experience, but don’t be so inflexible that you overlook a great candidate who doesn’t match it exactly.
Level the Playing Field
Structure your interviews by making sure the same questions are being asked of each candidate, and that those questions are related to the key accountabilities previously identified for the position. Don’t waste anyone’s time by asking irrelevant questions. And skip the vague ones like “Tell me about yourself.” If you see something on a candidate’s resume that you want to know more about, ask about that item specifically.
Don’t Trust Your Instincts
Many hiring managers like to say that they hire by gut instinct. The problem is, your gut can be wrong. You might be hiring someone because you like them, you feel compatible with them, they remind you of your favorite cousin— unfortunately, all of those things have no bearing on the person’s ability to do the job. Stick to your notes and your objective measures.
If you don’t have the time or manpower to try these tips, you can always try partnering with a company like Complete Payroll. We can help you follow these guidelines and put in the time, energy, resources and commitment to get the hiring process right.