MightyRecruiterThe prospect of finding a new hire if you haven�t hired in a while can be daunting. Adding new employees can be risky, since a good hire is an investment that will add value to your company and a bad one can often end up costing quite a bit. Before you start brushing up on your interview skills or budgeting for new salaries, here are a few things to think about.
Consider the Job
First of all, it�s worth considering whether you even need to hire a new worker at all. After all, adding new positions can significantly affect your bottom line. Can the work be outsourced, automated, or done by a free-lancer? This is especially relevant when dealing with tasks that are not directly related to the core purpose of your company, such as web design, accounting, or marketing. Consider whether your company has the funds and how often the relevant function is needed before you get a new hire if you haven�t hired in a while.
Take Your Time
If you do decide to hire, be sure not to rush through the decision. A new employee can make or break a small company and have significant effects even on a larger one. You don�t have to choose quickly just because you get a lot of applicants. On the other hand, you also want to make sure that you start the process soon enough, especially if the position must be urgently filled. You may want to start looking at candidates before you�re even certain that you�ll be hiring�but don�t make a final decision until you think you�ve found the right person for the job.
Look Around
One related tip is to cast your nets widely when recruiting. Even if the job market favors employers, you can�t always guarantee that you�ll be able to find the specific talent that you need in a new hire if you haven�t hired in a while. Look around a bit; try combinations of recruitment channels, such as web postings, employment firms, and employee referrals.
Explore Your Options
Once you have your applicants, interview at least three people for every job. Some larger corporations will even interview 10 or 15 candidates before making a decision. Even if you think you got lucky and found the right person on the first try, there�s no way to be sure about that until you�ve spoken to the other applicants as well. You don�t want to pass up your dream candidate just because a �good enough� candidate was the first one through the door.
Check Twice
If feasible, you may want to interview your potential hires more than once. While it�s easy to put up a fa�ade for one meeting, it gets harder by the second and third encounters, ensuring you�ll be able to pinpoint potential problems before making an offer. This is also a good way to ensure that multiple members of your team can interact with the candidate�having more than one opinion can be very useful when finding a new hire if you haven�t hired in a while.
Avoid Culture Shock
Make sure that you also consider how well your candidates will fit into company culture. This is especially crucial in smaller businesses or companies where teamwork is an integral part of the job. Job performance alone may not be enough if they don�t fit in well with your current employees. It�s also important to remember, though, that it�s not always a good idea to always hire employees exactly like the ones you already have. Don�t be afraid to seek out qualities that you want to add to your company�it�s okay to hire someone with a sense of humor if you think you need a little levity, or to choose a big-picture kind of person if your company is too focused on details.
Just for Reference
Be sure to ask for references, and to check them. You might be surprised at what friends and former employers are willing to tell you candidly�this is a good way to find out about undesirable characteristics that otherwise might not come up. On the other hand, it can also reinforce your initial impression and let you know you�re on the right track! It doesn�t have to be difficult to find a new hire if you haven�t hired in a while. Check out some of the useful tools here at Mighty Recruiter to help you make a good investment in your employees.