Finding someone new to join your team isn’t quite the piece of cake recruiters wish it was. Every business requires a particular type of person to fill a role successfully – and that is before you have even considered their qualifications and skill sets!
The thing is that you need someone who will work well with the rest of the team while bringing something new to the table. It is finding the balance between fitting in and standing out that makes this task so tough.
Use All the Tools at Your Disposal
Recruitment agencies are often ideal for finding someone fast but they can also be an expensive way to meet a lot of bland people if you don’t know quite what you want. You can use online hiring tools to get an idea of the type of person you are looking for and keep an eye out for new talent. When used in tandem with a recruitment company, this method is perfect for finding the right candidates.
Look to Diversify
When you look around the office do you see a diverse group of people? If you are like most businesses then this is an area you could – and should – probably work on. Diversity isn’t just about race or gender, it is also about finding people who have different skills, different outlooks and different personalities to balance everyone out. Think of your team like a superhero collective like the Avengers – each hero has a different specialism and this is what you want from your team.
What Would Your Customers Like?
If you are hiring someone who will deal with customers regularly, you should also think about what they would like from your team. A bit of charm often goes a long way with a client but do you want someone who is going to provide emotional support or would a more logical ‘gets stuff done’ personality succeed? Knowing what your customers want is key to every aspect of your business and hiring is no different.
Let Applicants Shine
Lots of people – applicants and interviewers alike – view interviews as tests. While this is true to an extent, that doesn’t mean that you should try to catch an applicant out or give them ridiculously tough questions. Instead, give every applicant the chance to show you their very best side. This might mean guiding them through a little more but you should get a better idea of their character if you put them at their ease before you crack out the killer questions.
Take a Chance
No candidate is ever the complete package and if they are, there’s a good chance that they will want to move to a more challenging role very soon. This is why you should be willing to take a chance. Enthusiasm and the ability to learn are often better traits than a shedload of experience and should never be underestimated. And if it doesn’t work out, you can always let them go before the probation period is up and start again.