Recognizing Good Hires During The Hiring Process

Chances are, you have - at one point or another - heard horror stories about nightmare employees. In fact, if it is your job to hire employees, it is likely that you have encountered one or two nightmare employees of your own. Sometimes, the reaction is to wonder, "How did this employee get this way?" But a more appropriate reaction here is the introspective one, wherein you question yourself, asking, "Why did I hire this person?" Of course, beyond just making sure you avoid those nightmare employees, hiring is really about trying to find those employees who will end up doing a spectacular job. It is about finding those special employees who will benefit the company in a number of ways, employees who can be promoted again and again. What can you do to ensure that you hire such employees? It is really quite simple.

Hiring good employees begins at the resume process. Begin by cutting out the unqualified applicants; it might be easy to just interview everyone, but in the long run it will save you time and headaches to narrow down your field. Furthermore, take the time to call those applicants you are not quite sure about; a chat on the phone can go a long way in helping you decide, and it can save you time if they are not right, and it can be valuable if they end up becoming a great employee in the future. Finally, take notice of the attention the applicant paid to their resume; if their resume is sloppy, how do you think that applicant will be as an employee?

When you interview, make sure you focus on the applicant's intelligence and attitude. You are more likely to find a great employee in someone with fewer accomplishments but a smart mind a good attitude than in someone with a surly disposition.

Finally, while interviewing, allow the interviewee to ask questions. In this way, you can gain a greater understanding of the ways in which this person's mind works, and you can get to know them better. You can gain a greater understanding of the applicant as a person by doing this; after all, future "prize employees" are likely to have intelligent questions to ask now.

Of all the elements that go into making a successful business run, hiring is among the most important. After all, it all begins with the employees; and if you are the one hiring the employees, it all begins with you.