Five things to consider before you hire any worker

While sitting with a hiring manager in SVG recently, my colleague lamented about the quality of applications coming across his desk. We discussed that if an individual does not take the time to do the application correctly, can they really succeed on the job?{{more}}

As a hiring manager, it is important to choose the right person for a vacant position to avoid repeating the process a few months later. Employers dread hiring, because they need to spend money to advertise the position and valuable production time is lost seeking and training candidates. There are not many managers that enjoy the expensive process of hiring new employees, especially since everyone’s eyes are on the bottom line. So, how can a hiring manager succeed in filling positions?

Seek referrals. One of the best ways to find great employees is through referrals from current employees, colleagues and friends. Hiring managers feel comfortable with referrals because they are hiring someone with a known track record of performance. When considering referrals, bear in mind that the potential candidate still must meet the qualifications for the job, regardless of who refers them. A referral is not a guarantee of a job; it only opens the door to be considered for the position.

Look online. There are candidates who list their résumés with online résumé banks and would not mind travelling to the Caribbean. The borders that existed prior to the Internet are no longer a factor and job candidates will travel for the right job.

Examine résumés carefully. A résumé is basically the potential employee on paper. If you are interviewing for a job that requires the candidate to be especially good with details, then pay very close attention to the résumé. Is it written in proper English? Are there obvious grammatical errors and is it clean? Although this may sound trivial, if the job requires a detail-oriented person, the résumé is a good place to judge the candidate’s abilities. Look carefully at the responsibilities and positions the person held in previous jobs and how they directly relate to your needs.

Conduct in-depth interviews. When conducting interviews, be mindful of the candidate’s appearance, body language, arrival time, and their ability to hold a sensible conversation. If the available position is in customer service, all the above are crucial, as this person will represent the company to the public and first impressions last forever. Consider administering a personality test and ask situational questions to better understand the candidate and how they would respond if they were on the job.

Check references. Take the extra step and call the references that were provided. Ask questions specific to the position you are trying to fill and do not settle for empty answers such as “John was a great worker when he was here.”

Karen Hinds is “The Workplace Success Expert.” For a FREE SPECIAL REPORT on Avoiding Career Killers in the Workplace, send an email to info@workplacesuccess.com

Visit online at www.workplacesuccess.com