When hiring, your goal is to recruit the best. That said, as one of Miami’s top staffing agencies, we know that the approach you take needs to be a bit different depending in the kind of employee you’re hiring.
Take, for instance, entry level candidates.
They often lack a solid job history and extensive skill set – which can make it especially hard to evaluate whether they’d be a good fit for your organization.
But it is possible – as long as you ask the right questions. Here’s how:
1. Assessing communication skills.
Strong communication skills are critical for success in most positions. So ask questions that force the candidate to communicate effectively, so you can gauge their communication skills. For instance, “How did you prepare for today’s interview?” or “How do you think college prepared you for this job?”
If you’re hiring for a sales position, or a job where the art of persuasion is key, then delve a bit deeper into their communication skills by asking questions like “Without much work experience, how can I tell you’re the right fit for the job?”
2. Assessing organizational skills.
Time management and organizational skills are also important for success on the job. So ask questions that will help you evaluate whether a candidate is able to prioritize their tasks. For instance, “How do you organize your day?”
3. Assessing motivation.
Sometimes enthusiasm and drive can offset a lack of hard skills, so it’s important to assess a candidate’s motivation. You can do this by asking: “What kinds of activities did you do in college?” Also check to see if the candidate has done their homework by asking questions like “What do you know about our company?” or “Why do you want to work for us?”
4. Assessing problem solving skills.
This skill can be especially hard to assess if the candidate doesn’t have any work experience. However, it can still be done by asking questions, such as “What was your biggest challenge as a student and how did you handle it?”
In addition to asking these kinds of questions, be sure to communicate job responsibilities and expectations and how the company measures performance. If you see a candidate’s eyes glazing over when discussing these serious topics, then perhaps they’re not a good fit for the position and you should move on.
And if you need any help with the hiring process, give us a call. As one of Miami’s top staffing agencies, we know how to source, screen, interview, test, and verify candidates – all so you can make the right hiring decision. Contact us today to learn more.