You’re looking to grow your team. You want the best. But before you even get to the interview, you want to make sure that your team is set up to attract the very best candidates. This is more than writing an attractive ad, or hiring a head hunter – this is about creating an environment and a hiring process that would make people want to work for you.
- Have very clear and easy-to-understand job descriptions. This will make it easier for you to not only attract and hire good staff, but to manage them once they are part of your team. Clear job descriptions create clear Key Performance Indicators, which makes motivation and incentivizing easier.
- Make the process of hiring efficient and easy. Don’t send applicants on a wild goose chase just to fill out an application. If you want to attract good candidates, know that a simple thing like a glitchy online application that asks questions that don’t really apply could deter them from ever applying in the first place.
- Focus the interview. Make sure that the interview is efficient and respects their time. Don’t make them wait for an hour, or cancel on them at the last minute. These are power plays, and they set a tone that good candidates won’t appreciate. And make sure that you are asking relevant questions at the interview that will help determine the best prospect. This isn’t the time to ask your cute question about what animal they would be — that won’t impress the really good candidates.
- Use this as an opportunity to let the interviewee see your value as well. You want this to be a good fit — it can be expensive if they leave later, so make sure both sides would be happy in the relationship. Let them know why they want to work for you. Help them determine if they want to work for you while you’re deciding if you want to work with them. Show them that you are worth working for.
- Be transparent about the hiring process. Don’t get a reputation for being someone who puts of job postings up when you fully intend to fill the position internally. Let potential candidates that you are moving to the next stage have the opportunity to meet their prospective coworkers without you being there, so they can ask questions. And be upfront about any challenges of the job. Again — you want this to be a good match, so the more transparent you are, the less likely you are to have an unhappy employee later on.
Attracting good people helps you to attract the best clients. Always ensure that you have the best opportunity possible to attract the best.
