Hiring for your business - let's be honest, it's challenging. The future of your company practically hangs in the balance with every hiring decision you make. The doubts and questions that swirl in your mind can be overwhelming. What if the candidate isn't truthful? What if their references are exaggerating? How can you be sure they have the competence they claim they do? These are just a few of the uncertainties that may be holding you back.
Fret not, for here is a set of tips to guide you through the hiring maze, ensuring you make informed decisions that contribute to saving you time, money, and securing the long-term success of your business.
Craft a true job description with precision:
Start your hiring process by crafting a job description that genuinely reflects the role. Too often, businesses create job descriptions that are disconnected from the actual responsibilities of the position, resulting in confusion and dissatisfaction. It's also worth inviting your team to review and provide feedback to ensure it aligns with the reality of the role. This sets the stage for a more accurate reflection of the role and enhances your chances of finding the perfect fit. After all, the first step in successful hiring is presenting the role truthfully to attract candidates who align with your business's needs.
Map out and agree on every aspect of the hiring process:
Ensure that each step in your hiring process aligns seamlessly. From the initial job posting to the final interview, every stage should contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the candidate's skills, experience, and cultural fit. This not only saves time but also improves the effectiveness of your decision-making.
Consider a 1st stage 20 minutes screening call:
Streamline the initial interview stage by focusing on core essential requirements for the role. A concise 20-minute screening call allows you to quickly assess whether the candidate possesses the essential core skills and qualities needed for success in the position. This not only saves your time but also respects the candidate's schedule!
Prepare targeted interview questions:
Develop interview questions tailored to the specific skills and qualities you're seeking in a candidate. This planning ensures that you gather the information you need to make an informed decision - eliminating any unconscious bias! Aim for questions that reveal the candidate's technical abilities and ensure every candidate is scored against the same set of questions. This ensures you’re not only being fair but in-depth in your assessment.
Involve your team in the hiring process:
Invite team members to participate in the interviews. Their diverse perspectives can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of candidates, helping you gauge how potential hires will integrate into your team. Plus, a collaborative approach fosters a sense of shared responsibility for the hiring decision. Win-win!
Leverage technology wisely:
Even being a small business, it's with exploring technology to streamline your hiring process. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) can help manage resumes, track candidate progress, and facilitate collaboration among the team. This not only increases efficiency but also ensures a more organised and transparent process.
Seek feedback from new hires:
Once the hiring process is complete and new hires have been onboarded, send a survey to gather feedback on their experience. This valuable input can highlight areas for improvement and ensure a positive candidate experience and onboarding process. Unfortunately, this crucial step is often overlooked, but it can be instrumental in refining your hiring strategy.
An example of questions we like to use:
How would you rate your onboarding experience on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being excellent? Please share specific aspects that stood out positively or areas where improvement is needed.
Looking back on the entire hiring process, what aspects do you think worked well, and were there any areas where you felt the process could be enhanced for future candidates?
Monitor monitor monitor!
Regardless of your business size, consistent monitoring is essential. Track metrics like direct applicants, cost-per-hire and time-to-hire to gain valuable insights. Whether you're hiring a few roles or expanding your team, this data-driven approach allows you to make informed improvements for continuous hiring success.
To sum up, diligence and time spent on your hiring process is paramount. With careful planning, you can significantly increase your chances of making the right choice for your business and minimise early leavers.Â
As business visionary Peter Drucker once said,
"The best way to predict the future is to create it."
If you're a business owner looking to optimise your hiring process, it's worth contacting us. Our expertise can be instrumental in refining your approach, saving you money and ensuring a positive and effective recruitment journey.
Happy hiring!