You know the high stakes when hiring new staff as a business owner or manager. It’s not just about filling a vacancy. Ideally, it’s about finding the right person who fits into your company culture and can contribute to your business growth. But let’s be honest, hiring can be a minefield, and one wrong move can cost you precious time and money.
This is my experience of wasting time and money recruiting. Imagine this: you’re up to your ears in work and desperately need a new team leader. You’ve found a promising candidate – their resume is impressive, and they seem perfect for the role. But when they show up for the interview, it’s painfully clear they’re not a good fit. They’re dressed inappropriately, seem unprepared, and have neglected basic hygiene. But you’re stuck in a face-to-face interview, spending precious time and energy on a candidate you won’t hire.
Sounds familiar? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Hiring can feel like a gamble, but it doesn’t have to be.
Here are two simple, effective strategies to streamline your hiring process and save time and money.
The first tool in your hiring toolkit should be a pre-screen survey. This is a straightforward online form where you can outline the non-negotiables of the role, such as working weekends, salary expectations, or travel requirements. This way, candidates know exactly what they’re signing up for, and you can ensure that only those truly suitable make the next stage. That way, you are not getting to the end of the recruitment process, and you find out the candidate can’t fulfil a core role requirement like travel or weekends.
The second tool is a pre-interview video call. Before you invest your time in a face-to-face interview, schedule a quick video call with the candidate. This allows you to gauge how they present themselves professionally and allows them to ask any questions about the role. This step can help you weed out unsuitable candidates, ensuring you invest your time in the best candidates for your business.
Implementing these two strategies can help you avoid wasting time with unsuitable candidates and ensure that when you conduct face-to-face interviews, you’re meeting with the cream of the crop.
Remember, hiring isn’t just about finding someone to fill a role; it’s about finding the right person for your business. So the next time you’re hiring, put these steps in place. It will save you time, money, and much stress.
As a business owner or manager, your time is invaluable. Use it wisely, and you’ll see a positive impact on your business.
Here’s to successful hiring!
- Hugh Reardon
