Many small business owners start off as sole proprietors, running a one-man or -woman show. But if you’re one of them – and would like to expand your business by hiring, you may be feeling uncertain where to start.
As one of the top staffing firms in South Florida, we know that hiring is a complicated undertaking in today’s world. There are many factors to consider when you’re in the market to hire – from interviewing techniques, to whether you should conduct background checks, to how to avoid the risk of a hiring mistake. On top of all that, today’s high unemployment rate means that there are a lot of people out there looking for jobs. And the result of that is you could wind up being inundated with resumes from unqualified people.
While you can never eliminate all the challenges associated with hiring and staffing, you can certainly help minimize some of them by taking the right approach. Here’s how:
Think about your needs.
Before doing anything, take some time to think through what it is you really need from the new hire. For example, what areas do you need help with the most? Do you want to hire someone full- or part-time? What kinds of duties do you need a new hire to perform? What kinds of goals will they be expected to meet? By spending some time thinking about what you really need, you’ll be able to write a more concise and clear job description that hopefully attracts the right person.
Ask around.
The easiest and most cost-effective way to source good candidates is to ask for referrals. So ask your colleagues and other people you trust in your network for referrals to top candidates.
Write your job posting.
Job postings have a tendency to be too long-winded and overwhelming; or they’re simply fluff and not in-depth enough. But remember, the more targeted and clear your posting is, the better candidates you’ll be able to attract. So limit you posting to the title, important responsibilities, qualifications (including those that are absolutely required and those you’d simply like to have), and directions for applying.
Place your posting in the right place.
If you work in a niche industry, consider posting your ad in a trade publication or on an industry website. That way, the general public won’t be applying; instead, you’ll be advertising in front of an audience that is already in your industry.
Don’t wing the interview.
The interview is your chance to see if a candidate is really the right fit for you. So take the time to prepare thoughtful questions so you can get the information you need and make the right hiring decisions. Also, during interviews, ask all the candidates the same questions so you can compare them more easily during your decision-making process.
Check references.
Lying on a resume or during an interview is more common than you think. And checking references of a candidate you’re interested in hiring is really the easiest way to ensure their background matches what they’ve been telling you.
And if you’d like to outsource the hiring process to one of the top staffing firms in South Florida, give us a call. At Future Force, we are experts in sourcing, screening, interviewing, testing, and verifying – all so you get a candidate that’s a great fit for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.