For small businesses, making the right hire can have a huge impact on its future success. There are many ways an employer can source the right hire, but there are some simple strategies to make this process easier and increase the chances of finding the right fit.
- The power of a good job description
When looking for a new employee to join your team, the first step involves creating the right job description. How are you going to find the right employee if you are unsure what their role will be?
Great job descriptions share a few key elements. These include a job title, summary, identifying whether they are required full-time or part-time, and what skills or qualifications are needed to succeed. The shorter and catchier the description, the more interest it will gain.
After you have written the job description, it is now time to promote the vacancy. Where you are going to promote is going to depend on your industry. Many of the large scale job boards charge a flat fee, which can affect SMEs if the position is not filled. Finding a job board that allows you to post for free can be vital for smaller businesses.
- Select the most relevant candidates
Sorting through resumes can be a time consuming task. To efficiently sort through resumes make sure you are searching for specific criteria, skills or experience, rather than reading through each resume in full. Once you have recognised the stand-out resumes, dedicate your time to reviewing them in full.
Another method is telephone screening, which can be a highly effective tool for quickly understanding the level of skills the candidate has. If the candidate sounds professional and confident on the phone, invite them in for an interview.
- Prepare for the interview in advance
Conducting a successful interview is all about asking the right questions. This will allow you to get all the necessary information you need from the candidate in order to make the right choice.
It is always good to ask open-ended questions to the interviewee so they have the opportunity to give detailed answers, or to show their depth of knowledge. Make sure you tailor your questions to the role. This not only gives you the opportunity to find out their skills and interests, but shows you how they present themselves, and gives you a feel for their personality.
A good opening question is, “can you please give me an overview of the responsibilities in your current position?” Even though this should be outlined in their resume, you will get a better idea of what they really did.
- Implement the right process when choosing a candidate
Conducting a reference check can be invaluable. This may not always be easy. However, a background check with approval is always an effective way to help you understand the candidate’s work ethic and history. Asking applicants to return for a second interview can also help you decide.
If you are still struggling to make a decision, it’s beneficial to ask potential employees to come in and do a half or full day trial. This will put potential employees in your work environment and you will be able to see how they cope with the challenges of the position.
- Last but not least: make sure to comply with regulations
Finalising a hire is a very important and exciting time for any business. Your team is growing. However, you must make sure you have complied with all employee laws and regulations. Australia has National Employment Standards which can be easily accessed here or through Fair Work Australia. These include information on the minimum wage, payslips, work hours, leave and notice of termination. Employers also need to know about workplace health and safety and workplace compensation, so make sure these have been researched.
After you have your new employee’s details, superannuation fund, tax file declaration and any other necessary documentation, congratulations, you’ve made a hire.
SMEs are highly dependent on their staff’s skills and vision for the role. New employees will only achieve growth with the right team supporting their development. Making sure your hire is the right one is a business imperative. In order to be successful, make sure not to rush into anything,
About the Author:
Written by Chris McDonald, Managing Director, ANZ, at the world’s largest job site, Indeed.com.
