Getting the right people into the right positions is truly the secret sauce that makes any company successful. If you doubt the truth of that, think about the converse for just a moment: hiring the wrong people for the wrong positions spells disaster.
HR professionals and hiring managers spend their days sifting through resumes trying to discern which applicants are the right fit. Is there luck involved? Absolutely. But some skills and strategies increase the likelihood of finding great talent for your organization and decrease the risk of onboarding a bad fit. Here are just a few:
Refine Your Job Description
The job description you put out there allows you to communicate what you’re looking for and the culture the applicants can expect. If you don’t get the job description right, the chances of attracting the right person for the job are slim. Getting both right gives you the best shot at drawing the right people in.
Create a Consistent Hiring Checklist
Sometimes hiring in an organization can feel like a free-for-all where folks from different departments do things in their own ways. While there’s certainly some value to this type of flexibility, there’s also considerable risk. Create a checklist for hiring that applies across the board. This will ensure consistency and compliance and prevent important tasks from slipping between the cracks.
Conduct Smart Interviews
The interview is an essential resource, but too many people waste this face-to-face time on meaningless conversations or useless questions. Prepare for the interview by being very specific about what success in the position requires. Does it require a friendly phone presence and careful attention to detail? Ask the applicant questions about their previous positions with an eye turned towards the details they provide. Does it require knowledge of specialized technology? Ask specifically about that, and don’t shy away from questions that test knowledge. Does the position require management skills? Set up a conversation about management issues and gauge the applicant’s responses and engagement in the subject. If there’s something you’re looking for, be specific in your efforts to find it.
Be Serious About Reviewing Credentials and Screening
Never, ever take a resume at face value. It’s simply too tempting for applicants to misrepresent themselves. Always conduct background checks and verify credentials and experience.
Be Efficient
If you drag your feet, you’ll lose good applicants every time. Keep the process moving and keep the candidate informed.
It’s Not Rocket Science
Getting the right hires isn’t rocket science, but it is harder than it looks. Be deliberate and smart with the process, and you’ll build a great team that can take your company to the next level.
