When you’re starting up your own business, it might seem
like the smart thing to cut corners when you can especially with the budgetary
restrictions a new venture brings but that’s definitely something you don’t
want to do when looking to hire new employees.
Don’t settle for the first person that’s available. Really take your time to hunt down the right
person who “fits the bill.” With so many
people out of work these days, there’s a lot of great talent poised to take on
new opportunities but you should screen carefully before you make a decision on
who to hire. In essence, don’t
settle. So how to find the right employee?
Hire someone who already has the skills needed to do the
job. In larger corporations, there’s
more time for a learning curve but not with a new company that’s looking to get
off and running quickly. Budget-starved
start-ups don’t have the time, capital and resources to really train someone
and allow them that beginner’s learning curve.
Don’t look for people that say they’re “fast learners.” Look for people that have already “been there
and done that.” People who’ve never done
certain tasks before are more likely to make mistakes that can cost your
company precious time and money.
Think about the work experience you desire from the right
candidate. Just because someone has had
a long tenure in corporate America doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the right
fit for the job. Look at a candidate’s
resume thoroughly and see what they’re true experience has been. Three years completing tasks you’re looking
for an employee to do is better than someone who’s been around a decade doing
things that might not be the right fit.
Hire competitive, driven people. Start-ups have to compete aggressively for
customers and market their target audience accordingly. That being said, make it a high priority to
hire people that thrive in a competitive work environment. Great employees embrace competitive
challenges and are highly motivated to work hard and exceed expectations.
Look for people that have a long history of “winning.” Obviously, it’s your job as an entrepreneur
to create a work environment that fosters such winning but look for those that
already have that drive. The
relationship should be symbiotic. Both
you and your employees should be hungry for success.
Test performance.
Think about hiring on a probationary period and putting your employees
under a healthy “pressure” so that they’re motivated to succeed and you can
bring out the best in them. If after say
three months, they’re not fitting the bill, look elsewhere for someone who
does.
Look for strong attributes.
Evaluate the way a candidate presents themselves, dresses, etc. Are they articulate and well-spoken? Are they people persons? Look for the right attitude. Just because they’re qualified on paper
doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the right fit for your company and the goals
you’re looking to achieve. Look for
confidence and positivity. You want your
employees to mesh with the values of your company and those that can boost morale
and work in a team environment.
Take what I’ve said here today to heart and think critically
before hiring employees. Remember you
want the right candidate not the wrong one.
You want someone who can get acclimated quickly and will bring
positivity and drive to the role. Always
do your homework about potential employees.
Check references and as I said, think about a probationary period. Take these steps and know that you can
ultimately hire the right candidate without having to go through the hassle of
hiring and rehiring endlessly.
Here are some articles you might want to check out about
hiring the right employee:
“How to Hire right and Delegate Well”: http://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/how-to-hire-right-and-delegate-well.html
“Ten Tips for Hiring the Right Employee”: http://humanresources.about.com/od/recruiting/tp/recruiting_employee.htm
“The Importance of Hiring Right”: http://www.inc.com/michael-alter/the-importance-of-hiring-right-.html
Until next time…
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