Hiring for Success
Harbourview knows the importance of hiring for success. We strive to have the best team doing the job right for you. Teamwork makes the dream work! Now we’ve all heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So how do make sure that each link is as strong as the last? By having clear expectations on all sides. Following a few simple steps listed below will not only help with your small business, but it can also help you when hiring outside help to fix your car, paint your house, etc. Let’s take a look at how hiring for success.
Step 1:
The search begins. You have a vacancy that needs filled, but not just by anyone walking by. If you’re looking to hire the right person for the job your search needs to be directed to the right people. There’s an old story of a South Pole expedition ad put out by Earnest Shackleton that read “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.” Pretty cut and dry. The success of this ad was that the men who answered the call were already locked and loaded for that kind of adventure. Don’t sugar coat things to attract a wider audience. Be clear and honest to avoid any confusion down the road.
Step 2:
Check and double check… and then triple check. You have a seemingly valid candidate at your doorstep, now it’s time to dig deeper into their references. It seems to go without saying that people will say anything to get hired. I’m sure some of you reading this have fibbed on your resume to get your foot in the door. “I’ll figure it out later” you might think. Call every reference provided to make sure that they have both the skills and behaviours that match your open job. If you catch them in a lie when they’re putting their best foot forward, you can guarantee they’ll get worse once they are more comfortable. And don’t stop at the info they provided. Hiring for success means thinking outside of the box. Google them, Facebook them, check their Instagram etc. The digital realm exposes a lot of hidden treasures.
Step 3:
Tie up loose ends. If you need an employee to work weekends, or if they need every Tuesday morning off, you need to make it clear from the start. Have a crystal clear outline of the expectations of the job description and determine what the employee expects of the job. If there is no room in that position for advancement, then it might not be right for someone looking to climb the corporate ladder. I know you can’t predict the future, but you can map out your plan for success. This will include making the offer. I have hired countless people without even telling them their starting wages, compensation etc. Worked out great for me in the short term, but if you want people that last, your offer needs to match position. If you want excellence, be willing to pay for it. Just make clear that you expect excellence!
Step 4:
Keep records of everything. This will help you save time in the long run. Make sure you have things like an actual employment contract outlining everything you just read, emergency contact info, SIN for tax purposes, copies of IDs, etc. If you want to hire for success, you need to know what your expectations are, and you need to be consistent with your follow through.
Good Luck!