8 Recruitment Tips
Recruitment is probably not top of your agenda right now but good times will come back. In our experiences it’s probably the hardest thing you’ll do, particularly, if you’re trying to build or scale a business. Humans are complex and it can take a long time to really get to know someone, warts and all, and trying to anticipate how they will engage in your business is what makes recruiting very tricky.
We’ve interviewed thousands of people over the years and employed quite a few as well. Like everyone else, we’ve taken risks and have made mistakes. We’ve learnt the hard way, and if it happens to you, don’t beat yourself up about it. It happens to everyone at least once!
The past few months has seen a colossal shake up in how firms are now recruiting and here are a few tips on how you can make best of the current situation and avoid a few of those age-old mistakes.
- Don’t hire unless you really need to – It’s a bit rich coming from the likes of us, but it’s true! The answer may already be in your team. Look closely at the team member who has been consistent in everything they do but hasn’t been given a chance to shine.
- Don’t make assumptions – Far too often people make judgements about others even before meeting them so try to put the assumptions that you’ve garnered from a CV or idle rumour to the back of your head. See people for who they are, decide on what you see rather than what you hear. In other words, make up your own mind.
- Get to know the person – You should listen more than you talk. The better you get to know someone, the more accurately you can predict how they are going to behave in your business. A deeper insight will enable you to get a better picture of how you will manage them, work with them, and how you will get them to do things that are critical to the role.
- Know what you want – Keep asking yourself the following: Can they do the job (specific skills); will they do the job (manageability); will they stay (track record). You won’t go far wrong by keeping this in mind.
- Use your head – Hiring is often emotional, it’s human nature to do business with people you like, and we’re not saying you shouldn’t hire people you gel with, however, you need to think about the finer details of the job and if that person can fulfil them. It’s tough but must be done. Maybe see the interview with your heart and the second your head.
- Don’t make salaries taboo – To put it bluntly, you need to recognise that avoiding the salary issue will cause you more harm than is necessary. It’s worth risking an honest and open debate about an individual’s expectations and what you can realistically offer. Chances are your candidate will appreciate your candidness as well as being relieved that they had the chance to talk through it with you.
- Don’t scrimp on salary, either – Buy cheap, buy twice, as Simon’s Nan always used to say. Savvy people know their worth and so should you.
- Don’t sit back – Don’t think everyone will be interested in you. This may sound harsh but, every single ‘credible’ person you meet will have other options and they will not wait for you to make up your mind. Move quicker than your competition, even now!
