Before you decide to start your own business, you’ve already spent countless hours figuring out all of the details to make it great. You know what kind of company you want to run and the culture you want to foster. The question is, how do you find the best employees?
A good business is only as good as the employees who work there. Even with the best-laid plans and ideals, the most attainable successes will never be achieved with ineffective personnel. The workforce can make or break a business.
Recruitment
Finding the best talent to complement and support your business requires a creative approach to recruiting. Not all the best talent will reply to traditional classified postings. Ask yourself, how much does a billboard cost compared to the value of finding just the right applicant?
The best recruitment strategy is one that has a far reach across both traditional and non-traditional methods. Ideally, you want to reach a vast array of highly qualified, potential employees. In order to hire a quality workforce, don’t be afraid to be creative to attract the types of applicants that will complement your firm’s culture and attitude.
When used properly, social media can be an excellent tool to seek individuals that you may not otherwise cross paths with. It fosters communication outside of the traditional means. Not only are you reaching out to potential new employees, you’re also networking with friends and associates who may have an ideal candidate.
Another added bonus of using social media is the ability to share photos that showcase what your business is about. You can give applicants an inside look at the culture they will be joining. Being able to highlight your specific brand or professional cultural offerings, to the right applicants, can increase the appeal to your firm.
Define the vacancy
Before you can bring on employees, you have to have clearly defined job descriptions and responsibilities. Be open and honest about the responsibilities and expectations of the specific vacancies you’re looking to fill. The more detailed your expectations of the right candidate, the better your chances of hiring exactly the expertise the position requires.
Pre-screening
Ideally, you’ll have an influx of applications to review. To keep from wasting either your or an interviewee’s time, pre-screen those you’re considering for a formal interview. Make sure you’re both on the same page with some of the basics like salary expectations. By taking the time to reach out to candidates to be sure certain expectations align, you can save yourself time in the long run.
Respect
In order to hire the right calibre of personnel, there are certain pitfalls you should avoid. You need quality employees as much as they need you. Don’t forget your needs are mutually beneficial and be respectful of their time. In short, treat applicants as you would your customers. How you interact with potential employees will give an impression of what they may come to expect from working with you. If you lack interest in what they’re saying, it can be a red flag indicating how their future concerns or conversations will be met.
Just like welcoming guests into your home, be sure to be hospitable to those going through the hiring process. Your business is an extension of you and your ideals. At the very least, you want to make people feel welcomed and respected. Offering hospitality not only shows good manners, it helps to foster a warmer and more comfortable interaction.
You want to hire people who share your vision, ideals and will complement your business culture. Regardless of the words you speak, opinions will be formed based on how you conduct business and treat others. You won’t get a second chance to make that first impression.