You might have a great business idea, but unless you hire great employees as well, you can’t expect to go far. Recruiting the right people is the number one way to give your small business the best chance at any success, because the wrong people can damage your company in plenty of different ways. A poorly-chosen employee can be a drain on your time, productivity and resources, and they can even negatively impact your company’s culture – especially if you pride yourself on a positive work environment. So, to avoid the fallout from a bad choice, here are the five top tips to hiring the best people for your business.
- Be clear on the job description
Don’t make the mistake of thinking a bigger candidate pool is better than a smaller one. If you cast your net too wide, you’ll have to sift through time-wasters, under or overqualified applicants, and people who just wouldn’t fit. Give your potential applicants a concise, clear job description, and be as specific as possible. Uncertain requirements can make someone second guess whether they should apply for the job, so don’t be afraid to go big on the details!
- Strike while the iron is hot
Once you start getting applications, begin sorting through them instead of waiting until the deadline. Moving quickly and confidently through the hiring process gives you a better chance of hiring the right people, while waiting too long leaves you open to the possibility of them finding a job elsewhere in the meantime.
- Don’t set your sights on ‘perfect’
There is no such thing as a perfect employee. If you make the mistake of holding out for someone whom you deem to be ‘perfect’, you’ll be waiting for a very long time. Instead, lower your expectations and aim for a great candidate. Hiring someone who might not be perfect but has plenty of potential is a much better business move, and will help you find that great employee even quicker.
- Hire for attitude, not skill
If you hire someone who has the desired qualifications but a bad attitude, you’ll likely find yourself back at the beginning soon after. Remember, skills can be taught, but a good attitude can’t be. So don’t pass over a candidate just because they don’t have the right experience. Finding someone who fits into your company’s culture and values is much more beneficial than someone who just looks good on paper.
- Check their references
Many business owners fail to conduct proper reference checks on their applicants, but this is one of the most effective ways of gaining further insight into a potential new employee. It allows you to ask questions about not only their on-the-job performance, but their overall attitude and candour at work. It also helps you weed out any embellishments on their resume, find out more about their strengths and weaknesses, and give you a better ‘feel’ for them.
Above all, you should trust your instincts. If someone doesn’t seem right for the job, don’t just give it to them out of desperation or fear of not finding anyone else. Candidates will come and go, but finding the right ones for your business is priceless.
Author: Ronsley Vaz
Ronsley is the founder & chief day dreamer at AMPLIFY. He is an author, speaker & serial entrepreneur.
He has a Masters’ degree in Software Engineering and an MBA in Psychology and Leadership. He is known as the creator of We Are Podcast – the first Podcasting Conference in the Southern Hemisphere, and the host of The Bond Appetit Podcast and Should I Start a Podcast. He has an audience of over 3 million in 133 countries.