Monday, 30 March 2009

What to Look for When Hiring Staff

What to Look for When Hiring – Finding the Best Employee


When it’s time to hire an employee for the first time, this can be as equally exciting as it is daunting. By knowing what to look for when hiring, though, you can eliminate a lot of your anxiety. It’s exciting because it shows that your company’s has now outpaced your ability to perform it and it’s profitable enough that you can take on an employee, possibly for the first time ever. But many of us have never had the challenge of creating an interview and identifying what exactly our company needs from someone else.


There are a few things to take into consideration in what to look for when hiring an employee. Before you advertise that you need help, sit down and write a job description of everything you will be expecting from your new hire. Take into account scheduling and if you’d like them to work a regular schedule or simply be available on short notice. Do you need them to work the front cash register or restock the shelves? How about place orders and reorders for supplies or merchandise? How many hours are you looking to have them work? The more you can lay out in front of you, the more prepared you will be.


As important as it is to know what to look for when hiring, it’s just as important to know what kind of manager you are. If you are the type that wants to check in and break down your employee’s work schedule activity by activity, look for someone that wants a lot of feedback. If you want someone who you can just delegate tasks to and they can run with it, look for more independent thinkers. Set aside time for hiring when you will be able to provide them the undivided attention you will be expecting from them.


Determine your policies for your employees. This includes time off, if they get any benefits like discounts, and a list of policies and disciplinary actions. There is an old saying that says plan for the worst, hope for the best. The idea is that you won’t ever have to enforce your discipline code but you need it on the books in case your employee turns to the wayside. Keep in mind things like chronic absenteeism and customer complaints. Also, consider the opposite end. How will you award outstanding performance? There’s more to what to look for when hiring than can be depicted in just a short few paragraphs. Hopefully this will give you a great enough overview to get you well on your way to finding the perfect employee.


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