MightyRecruiterSearching for the right person for the job can be a stressful time for many employers. Often the stress of making such an important decision can lead to hiring mistakesïmistakes that can be highly detrimental to a business or company in the long run. In order to find the best employees, you must have the best hiring practices and there is no room for error. We have listed five of the worst hiring mistakes a company can make and ways businesses can avoid them, or how to resolve these mistakes if they happen.
Not Responding To Applicants
Applying for a position can be nerve-wracking and intimidating for a potential employee. But never hearing back from a company regarding an application can make hopefuls feel ignored and disrespected. While not responding to all applicants may seem minor to big corporations, it can have long-lasting ramifications for small-town businesses and companies. Individuals who feel forgotten and scorned are more likely to mention it to friends and neighbors, and it may get around that certain businesses don’t seem to care for potential employees. Having a plan in place for notifying and responding to all applicants can help employers avoid one of the worst hiring mistakes.
Not Providing Proper Training and Orientation
Many times a new employee just doesn’t seem to ïget it.’ They may not appear to fully understand the proper procedures of the workplace or the correct chain of command when it comes to obligations and requirements. While it can be easy to place the blame of poor performance on a new employee, oftentimes the responsibility lies within the company and the lack of guidance early on. It is unfair of employers to simply plop new hires in their chairs and expect that they will know what to do. Every organization does things a little differently, and more thorough training can help prevent the headaches and stress that can occur for both the company and the new hire when little or no company orientation is provided. While not providing enough training is one of the most prevalent worst hiring mistakes, it can be easily remedied. New employees need the right preparation and supervision early on in their employment in order to get on the right track for the business. With the correct amount of mentorship and direction, new hire mistakes can be corrected early on and advice can be given in a timely manner in order to avoid defensive confrontations in the future.
Not Enough Management and Direction
It is one thing to trust employees to get things done and work at the right pace, and it is quite another thing to lack the structure and supervision needed to ensure that the business is running smoothly. Having performance reviews in place along with activity checks can help new employees understand the expectations and requirements within the workplace without feeling like you are intruding or attacking their aptitude. Overseeing and managing the performance of your employees on a consistent basis, from new hires to career positions, can help you avoid one of the worst hiring mistakes that many businesses make.
Not Enough Communication
Employers need to make sure that they are communicating with their new hires as much as possible. Many times misunderstandings or miscommunications can lead to small errors that can be easily corrected, such as new employees taking long lunches or leaving early for the weekend. However, when there is a pattern of problem behavior, employers should communicate directly with the employee and make sure to document each and every example of misbehavior as well as the attempt at correction. Documented communications can be essential pieces of evidence should an employee ever have a claim of wrongful termination, and it can help avoid ïsurprise’ terminations when employees who haven’t been following the rules have been receiving warnings along the way.
Not Terminating Soon Enough
Hiring an individual who doesn’t fit with the culture of an organization can mean lost time and resources. Waiting and hoping that an employee’s attitude or behavior will change and better line up with the company persona is like waiting for pigs to flyï it simply isn’t going to happen. It is better to terminate the employee as soon as possible before things get too involved. Remember to learn from this mistake and to look for individuals who better exemplify the company’s culture when searching for new talent in the future. To learn more about the worst hiring mistakes that are often made, and to find more information about improving your business, please browse through our other articles and tools here on Mighty Recruiter.