Hiring top talent can be a challenging process, while at the same time one of the most rewarding parts of the job. It’s well known that the costs of hiring the wrong employee can add up, and not to mention waste valuable time. In the wise words of the Virgin Group's Founder Richard Branson, be sure to take your time, ask the right questions, and be curious about prospective employees. Instead of making the wrong hire, use these 4 tips below to find the best match for you company.
1. Tap into your network
Sometimes, your current employees can be your best recruiters. Your team members are your best assets, and they may know like-minded people who can help bring your vision to life. Incentivizing your team to help suggest potential candidates is a great way to get resumes in your inbox. Offering referral bonuses or prizes will encourage employees to send open job listings to their network.
2. Write a thoughtful job description
Taking time to think about exactly how you want to position your job opening is vital to finding the right employee. The clearer you can be, and the more you can show your personality as a company, the better the candidates you’ll have applying. Be sure to include the position details, a bit about your company, required skills and experience, and consider including a salary range, as that’s valuable information to post up-front.
3. Ask the right questions
The way you conduct your interviews will show prospective employees how you like to run your business and how your work environment operates. Ensure that you’re asking the right questions that portray the feel of your company. And don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions! Here are a few great questions to ask during the interview:
- How do you handle criticism?
- Can you provide a scenario from one of your past jobs that shows your greatest strengths?
- What is your ideal work atmosphere?
- How would you confront a coworker about a challenging situation?
- What makes you most excited about this opportunity?
- What are some of your hobbies outside the office?
4. Don’t forget background and reference checks
Verifying the information your top candidates have provided is an important step to take before hiring. Checking backgrounds and references and having thoughtful conversations with past managers about what each candidate was like in the office gives you great insight into how they’ll fit in with your company. Don’t be afraid to ask these references the hard questions, too.
