How to hire the right people for your business

As a busy business owner, it is nearly impossible to be in the right place at the right time, all the time. You need people you can trust, who share the same passion and values. But where do you start? The hiring process can seem overwhelming at first, but once you understand the value of having the right people, and the cost of having the wrong people, you’ll take the time to get it right. It is costly to recruit, interview, hire and train a new employee only to realize they are not the right person for the job. Here’s how to make sure you’re on the right track for your business:

Have a formal hiring plan

You don’t build a house without a blueprint, and you shouldn’t hire a candidate without a formal hiring plan. Finding the time to thoroughly document what you are looking for in terms of skill set, experience and character. If you own your own business, your requirements are likely unique. You need someone who is flexible enough to learn new skills and move around to where you need them the most, when you need them the most.

You also need to consider your company’s culture and values. You have a huge influence on your company’s culture and reputation and so do the people you bring on board. Knowing what you want and need is the first step. Be clear about what you can afford and whether you want to hire full time or part time.

The right person, especially in small business, has to be able to carry their own weight with minimal supervision, because let’s face it, an entrepreneur is busy and doesn’t have the time to micromanage. Have a clear idea of what you are looking for and create detailed job descriptions that reflect that.

I’ll vouch for that

Tapping into your current employee base to help recruit your next employee can be fun and rewarding. If they enjoy their working environment, they’ll share that positivity with others they know. Additionally, they will know firsthand what the job entails and what you are looking for in a candidate. Employee referrals are kind of like the blind date of the business world!

A resume is just a piece of paper?

That’s it. A chronological laundry list of credentials and experience, and a single chance to make a first impression. Focus on the skills and experience you need for your business, keep an eye out for red flags and skip any with bad spelling and grammar. You don’t want to waste time sifting through sloppy applications; the story should be easy to read and follow. Trust your instincts and skip over the ones you’re not immediately drawn to.

The interview process

So your candidate looks great on paper... now what? Do they have the attitude and personality you’re looking for? What are their beliefs and values? How do they communicate? How will they fit in with your existing team and company culture? If you solely focus on what’s on paper, you’re missing out on the full picture. A face-to-face interview, or a series of interviews, can help uncover some of these questions.

Come prepared and ask thoughtful questions to determine if they share the same passion for your business. Allow the candidate to take the time to reflect and respond before asking the next question. Build their confidence and comfort level to let them open up and speak more freely. Consider bringing them in for a few hours to see what the day-to-day grind is like and to meet and mingle with others.

Ask for references (and contact them)

This is your chance to find out firsthand about a candidate before making a job offer. If you think you’ve found a potential match, take the time to follow up with their references. Ask questions like how long they’ve known them, what are their strengths and weaknesses, what tasks they were responsible for, their overall performance, and why you should hire them. It’s like getting a second opinion.

Sometimes bad hires happen to good businesses

Even with a solid plan in place, you may not get it exactly right every time, and that’s okay. If you have brought someone on and realize they are not the fit you had hoped for, cut your losses soon and move on. It’s painful to go through the recruiting process again, but it will be worth it. The faster you can move on, the better for you and your business.

Remember, the right people are your best asset – don’t settle until you’ve found the right fit. You’ll know when you do.

Hire a Business Consultant to help you

Still uncertain about hiring new employees? Let someone else take the reins and help you with the process. Sometimes an outside neutral perspective can see things invisible to the business owner. In instances where a business owner is being overly cautious about new people working with their life source, a business consultant can be the level eye examining the real scenario and help make the right choice by highlighting observations. If you need help for hiring new employees, consider me, David D’Silva as your business coach. With a vast background of business experience, I have learned about new employee hires and can identify the pitfalls that may occur. I can simply help you create your new employee hiring plan. Talk to me about any issues you need help with.