Hiring a new employee is a substantial investment of your time and money so it is not a decision that should be taken lightly or rushed. Before you begin the hiring process, there are seven factors you should consider when searching for a new employee:
Education & Certifications
Typically, you want a candidate to have a degree or coursework that is applicable to the position you’re hiring for. Whether that be a degree in graphic design or business administration or completion of a trade school certification. Formal education should provide them with the foundation they need to perform the job. If they have additional certifications or a master’s degree in the field, even better.
However, it is important to note that education should not be the only deciding factor when determining who should be called in for an interview.
Work Experience
On-the-job experience can often make up for what they are lacking in education. Or if they do have the education relevant to the position, it can further set them apart from the rest of the applicants. As with anything, their job history can be an indicator of how they will perform in the future.
Similarities between their last position and the one they’re applying for can help you gauge how easily it will be for them to assimilate and take on the necessary tasks.
Ask questions about their relationship with their previous supervisor or team, the challenges they faced in their last position, and why they are choosing to leave. Their answers can provide important insight into their work ethic and what type of employee they will be.
Potential
Even if they don’t have a long history of relevant job experience, they might have impressive references and a working knowledge of the necessary skills that indicate they could have a promising career in the field.
If you see potential in a candidate, it may be helpful to seek a second opinion by having them come back for a second interview with the rest of the team or even another higher-up. However, as the boss, you should always have the last word when making hiring decisions.
While you might feel ready to run an employment background check you should actually wait until you’ve gotten through the entire process and are basically ready to hire them. We recommend this because background checks come at a cost to you. If they don’t end up being the right fit, it’s money down the drain which just isn’t a smart business decision.
Test Results
You have the basic qualifications covered but now it’s time to consider factors that will be a true indicator of whether or not they are the right fit.
If you require potential candidates to complete some kind of test or assessment to measure their skills, this should be a key factor when determining if someone is a good candidate for the job. While training can help them develop the skills needed for the position, they should have fundamental knowledge and most of the skills you’re looking for so take test results seriously.
Cultural Fit
Today, company culture is more important than ever to both the business and potential employees. You’ve likely worked hard and invested a lot of time and money into cultivating your company culture. As such, you want to make sure whoever you hire fits that culture. Pre-employment testing can help you learn more about the values, behaviors and intelligence of a candidate.
This will not only benefit you by reducing the risk of turnover but it will help ensure that they are happy at work.
Background Check
Now that you’re fairly certain that this is the individual you want to hire, it is worth the investment to run a background check before making a formal offer. A background check is a powerful tool to make sure that the candidate in question does not have a criminal history and has accurately reported their education and employment.
It’s basically confirming that they have been honest with you. But more importantly, it can help you ensure that you are maintaining a safe workplace for your employees.
Your Gut
Last, but certainly not least, trust your gut. As a business owner, you know what your needs are and what kind of person you want to work for your company. If some of the previously mentioned factors don’t line up exactly but there’s just something about them that makes you want to hire them, then do it. You are the master of your own success and have clearly made sound decisions thus far.
Hiring the right employee is beneficial to the bottom line of your business so remember to take your time, pay attention to all the details, and follow your intuition.
