Hiring a new employee can seem like a daunting task, but it is an important one.
Even though it feels like you don’t have the time to hire the perfect employee, making that time available and using it will make a big difference in the long run. You might feel pressure in finding the perfect candidate, but there are ways to make sure your hiring process is successful. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
1. Up your online presence
Having a presence on social media is important for a business, but it is also important for hiring. More than one-third of job seekers say the internet is the greatest resource while searching for jobs, according to a Pew Research study.1 Make sure that potential candidates can not only find your website but can also access it on their phone, as 28 percent of job seekers use mobile phones to find jobs.
And of those people, nearly half encounter problems with accessing information on mobile phones. Ensuring your website is mobile friendly can help you grow your presence and keep people interested in working for you.
Another important part of improving your online presence is to be aware that many people—especially millennials—want to work for digitally enabled companies, according to a study by Deloitte University Press.2
Adding any information about digital opportunities in job descriptions can make the opportunity more appealing to potential candidates.
2. Streamline the process
One way to ensure you’re getting the best candidates is to make sure your hiring process is as smooth as possible.
According to Officevibe, 60 percent of potential job candidates report having quit trying to fill out job applications because it was taking too long.3 To avoid this, start by writing a job description that is as clear as possible.
Sit down before you write the job description and think about exactly what the position entails. Then write a post that is both descriptive and broad, but also clear and concise. This includes what the candidate will be doing on a daily basis along with how the role fits in the company and the skills that the candidate should have.
Also, don’t include too many steps in the application process: It takes an average of 27 days to hire someone, but many of the top candidates only stay on the market for 10.3
3. Talk less, smile more
The average length of an interview is 40 minutes, but the hiring manager should not be the one doing most of the talking during that time.
Instead, let the candidate speak for the majority of the time and get to know him or her in detail. Wait until near the end of the interview to tell the candidate more specifics about the job and the company. This way, he or she will be more honest during the interview and won’t tailor answers based on what you’ve said.
4. Culture is important
When interviewing candidates, it’s important to remember that many times skills can be taught, but personality, attitude, and passion can’t.
These soft skills are more important for jobs than you think. In the interview, ask different types of questions to see how the candidate responds. And if you feel that the candidate is perfect, ask around and get opinions from others as well.
References
1 Smith A. Searching for Work in the Digital Age. Published November 19, 2015. Accessed August 2016.
2 Kane GC. Palmer D. Phillips AN. Kiron D. Buckley N. Strategy, not technology, drives digital transformation. Published July 2015. Accessed August 2016.
3 Hebberd L. 12 Recruiting Stats That Will Change The Way You Hire. Accessed August 2016.
