When you’re looking to add to your staff by hiring employees from outside the organization, there are some things you can do to ensure you get a good fit for your company. Here are some suggestions from HR veterans who are experienced in the art of hiring to help make the process easier.
ï Look for resumes that use keywords to highlight skills and abilities. Rather than trying to stand out by adding funny quotes, or graphics, or other gimmicks that some applicants use, one who uses keywords to let you know what she can do often makes a more stable, professional employee when hired.
ï Pay attention to gaps in employment. Many HR professionals say that if someone has been unemployed for more than six months, they’re really unemployable. The assumption is typically that if other employers have considered the applicant and decided against him, he really isn’t a good candidate. While this may be taking matters to the extreme, someone with several long breaks in employment, or frequent job changes, may have a hard time holding down a job so it’s best to be cautious.
ï Don’t disregard an applicant just because she doesn’t include a cover letter with her resume. Many job applicants have been told that a cover letter is no longer required unless it’s specifically requested. Rather than assume the applicant doesn’t care about such details, you may want to keep this in mind before letting the issue prejudice you against an otherwise qualified prospect.
ï Pre-screen applicants by knowing what the job fully entails. Too many times, particularly in a small company, it’s easy to say “We need to hire someone for that position,” when you’re really not certain what the employee would do once hired. By having a valid job description and an understanding of the employee’s role in the company, you can more easily find a good fit for the position at the outset.
ï Learn how to interview an applicant to get the information you need. Not only is it important to know which questions you can’t ask and topics you can’t discuss with an applicant because of legal issues, it’s also good to know what questions will give you the answers you need. If you’re not skilled at interviewing, take an online course to help you better understand the process and improve your abilities in this arena.
Using these simple suggestions when hiring new employees can save you a lot of time, and it can save your company a lot of money. The more you know about successful hiring practices, the better for everyone involved.