Fall is great time to fill open positions – more people are looking for new jobs and you are likely working on budget planning for the new year. Before you dive in, there are a few best practices and reminders to keep in mind for a positive new hire experience across the board. We’ve identified our top tips for your hiring team to follow for a successful fall hiring season.
1. Check Your Job Description
First things first. What kind of language are you putting out there for the position you need to fill? If you’re highlighting the wrong thing or unclear about the type of candidate you are looking for, it could very easily result in hiring the wrong person for the job. There are a few best practices to follow to make sure you are on the right track: include the basics of the position, highlight the benefits a potential hire will gain from the position, make sure your company culture shines through, and include clear instructions on how to apply.
2. Start with Online Recruiting
Meet people where they are already looking – on social media and job sites. Before you get started, make sure your own website and social presence is up to snuff. It’s an advantage if your website is mobile-friendly for those who prefer to do their job search via smartphone. Also, update your social media profiles to reflect the true culture of your organization. Job seekers will be on the lookout for authenticity and personality in your online presence, so make sure to meet their expectations.
3. Look for a Personality Match
Of course, matching the right skills to the position is important, but above all, make sure to get a sense of whether the candidate’s personality will fit with the rest of your team. This means taking an honest look at your company culture and where there might be a certain trait missing on your current team – is everyone hard-working perfectionists that never come up for air? Maybe you want to hire someone with a bubbly personality that will help draw people out of their shells to take a much-needed break every once in a while. Or maybe you have a talkative bunch that would benefit from a more structured, task-oriented personality. Whatever the case may be, take the time to think beyond skills to the type of person you truly think would be a beneficial addition to your team.
4. Interview Questions that Matter
Now the fun part – the interview questions. In addition to the classic, “Tell me about your work history,” “Why do you think you would be a good fit here?” etc., try asking more leading questions that give you a sense of the overall person. “What gets you up in the morning?” “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” ”What do you value in a workplace environment?” These are all great questions that go beyond the typical getting-to-know-you questions.
5. Be Open and Honest
Take your interview with a potential new hire as an opportunity to be upfront about expectations, both for what will be asked of the candidate and how the company operates in general. This is the time to share your mission and values. As part of your effort to be open, make sure to encourage your candidate to interview you as well. This gives you an additional opportunity to get a sense of what is important to them, and provides you the chance to elaborate on the type of hire you’re ultimately looking for.
The hiring process can be a tedious one, but with the right steps and practices in place it will more than be worth your time when you find the right person for the position.
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