Sunday, August 9, 2020

Is it Time to Change Your Hiring Practices?

“The only Constant in Life is Change”  Heraclitus
Things Change….these changes may come because of personal growth, age, and even the choices you make. Other types of changes are things that happen on a larger level that effect the world around you. But no matter how or why changes happen, they happen. That is life.

However, if you own a business, then change has the potential of making an even wider impact as they have an impact not only on you and your company, but also on your employees. 

As a business owner, you often have to deal with changes over which you have little control, like the state of the overall economy and even the effects of a worldwide pandemic. But there are also changes that are internal to your company. Some of these you choose and others may be thrust upon you. But in order to grow and be successful, change is often necessary and it should even be welcome. 

And one of the areas where being willing to grow and adapt can make all the difference is in how you hire!
Taking a periodic look at your hiring practices is a great way to make the updates you need and become even better at choosing the best new hires.

But even though changing it up is good, it is not wise to go in without a plan. You will need to first take a clear look at your entire hiring process to know exactly where changes are the most needed. 

These are the most common areas that you should consider:

Recruiting  
Reaching the right applicants is an important part of how you hire. And to you accomplish that you should start by writing the perfect job description for each position in your company! 

The right Job Description will really highlight the skills and qualities you need for an employee to be successful. It should also include important key words, which are invaluable if you are using recruitment software. 

Writing an effective and detailed job description is important. It not only helps you hire the best person for the job, it also protects your company legally. The right job description ensures that both your applicants and existing employees understand what is expected of them. It will also help you, as a manager, to determine whether your employees are meeting the job’s expectations”.

A good job description will also help you Hire Right!

It will help you determine, in advance, exactly what training and skills are necessary to do the job and attract the candidates that possess those traits!

Find out more about how to write a good job description and why that is so important to your business here!

Using Your Social Media Sites
Using your company social media accounts to recruit and hire makes sense. Not only is it a great way to reach a large number of potential new hires, but it also takes a minimal amount of time to do it.

Place “help wanted” posts on all your social accounts. Include the pertinent information such as job title, skills/education needed and desired, when the position starts, and anything else that is important to you and to the job.

While job boards are still important, often times your post may get lost among the many entries. By using your social media accounts, your need to hire will be seen by all your followers. Encourage them to share your post on their pages or with anyone they may think would be interested.

Employee Referrals
Does your company have an Employee Referral Program? If not, that is a change you should definitely consider making!

Employee Referral programs are good for your business and especially for finding great new hires. Your employees are intimately aware of the inner working of your company and your company’s needs. They also know the company culture and who will fit in and who will not. 

When it comes to getting the best referrals, start by asking your best and most skilled employees. Most likely they will have among their friends and acquaintances others who possess the same qualities that make these employees so valuable.

Getting referrals from your existing employees has multiple benefits. It is a great way to both reward your employees for their viable referrals and keep them happy with your new hires. And it will also help you find the right person for the job.

Checking Your Applicant’s Online Presence
Checking an applicant’s social media accounts is a great way to get beyond their resume and discover their all-important “soft skills”, interests, hobbies, personality.

People that possess good ‘Soft’ skills are able to work with and lead others. They are creative problem solvers and are often inherently likable ~ all of which make for valuable employees. When you are looking for a new hire, many of your applicants will have the technical ‘hard’ skills needed to do the job. But those that also possess the coveted ‘soft’ skills are the ones you really need to consider!”.

Soft skills you need to look for in your next job applicant:
  • Good work ethic
  • Leadership
  • Team Player (it's not just a cliche)
  • Effective Communicator
  • Resourceful problem solver
  • Time Management
  • Willingness to Learn
  • Likable
Discover more about why Soft Skills are so important and how to find them in your job applicants here!

However, it is vital that you know how to use the information you find on social sites right! Consulting first with a qualified background check company is key. They will ensure you are not running afoul of any local, county, state, or federal employment laws.  

The Employment Background Check
Doing background checks on every new hire is vital to the success of your business. 

Knowing as much as you can about the person you hire into your company simply makes good business sense. Understanding the skills they bring to the table, whether they are honest, and if they have a criminal record that could jeopardize your company, are all good reasons to screen before you hire.

Employment Background Checks will:
  • Verify whether your applicant is truthful
  • Help you keep a safer workplace
  • protect your company and its assets
  • help you stay compliant with federal and state employment laws
  • protect your company from potential lawsuits 
Read more about the importance of screening your employees in “5 Reasons You should use Employment Background Checks”!

Periodically checking your background check procedures is good business. It is a great way to see what is working and what may need some improvement.

You may consider finding a great background screening company to help. They will work with you to stay compliant with ever-changing background check guidelines and help you hire safely and effectively. 

Contact Us Today with your Background Check questions or visit our FAQ page to find out more!

Remember, updating your Hiring Practices is good for your business. It will help you reach the right candidates and find the best hire for you and your company. Get started today!

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