Develop Your Hiring “Superpowers”

If only we had some sort of magical power that would prevent us from making bad decisions. Seriously, if I had to choose a superpower, that would be on the top of my list.

From my dealings with hiring managers at various companies, it sounds like they too at times could use a supernatural force to help them (or a really good recruiter!).There is nothing worse than making a bad hire and having to clean up the proverbial mess afterwards. Poor hiring decisions are expensive, time-consuming, and affect your other employees’ morale.

Check out these stats:    

• A recent study conducted by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) revealed that a bad hire can cost an organization up to five times that person’s annual salary.
• Another survey (by CareerBuilder) found that 41% of employers calculate the cost of a single poor hire at $25,000, with another quarter estimating its cost at $50,000 or more.

We must stop this madness! Here are 5 tips to help you do your
hiring due diligence:

1. Write a complete and up-to-date job description. If hiring for an existing or past position, do not just dust off an old job description. Take a fresh look at your company’s needs and goals.

2. Ask difficult but relevant questions during the job interview. Pick questions that touch upon processes, values, and “how would you do it?”

3. Involve others in the interview process. Don’t hire from just your own perception and gut feelings. Involve other employees in the interview so you can get their feedback. You want people that will not only do the job well, but who will fit the corporate culture.

4. Learn all you can about the candidate. A behavioral assessment is a valuable tool to reveal what makes the applicant tick and determine if he/she is the right person for the job.

5. Perform a comprehensive background check. Verify education, skills and experience. Investigate any inconsistencies. Conduct reference checks. 

By taking these steps, you will feel “super” confident about the hiring choices you make, and won’t find yourself interviewing all over again in 90 days.

-Diana