May 2006

Do you find that your hiring process is too slow? Does it seem like it takes forever to get the right person on board? More and more we are hearing and seeing the products of hiring processes needing to be updated.

We all to often run into the following situations which inhibits the successful hire of the perfect candidate:

1. Lack of follow up - This is a top deal killer...either the resume is submitted and no comments are made, the interview takes place and nobody follows up with the candidate, or worse, a verbal offer is made and no documentation is sent.

2. The open position is not clearly defined and agreed upon by all hiring parties - That is each party had different expectations and they are not agreed upon prior to the search. A consistent job description is key to finding the right person.

3. The interview is not structured - There must be a fully defined, understood behavior based interview process in place so that all parties involved follow the same pattern.

1.What is the most significant accomplishment in your life? How did you achieve it? What obstacles did you overcome to accomplish it?
Give me an example of how you have been a leader at work. What is the project, what was accomplished? How many did you lead?
Tell me about a situation where your integrity was challenged. What was the situation, what were your options? What did you do?
How did you deal with a situation in your past role where you had conflict with….(Peer? Authority? Client?)
What is the biggest obstacle you have ever confronted and how did you attempt to overcome it? Were you successful? If not, what did you learn?

4. Candidates are hired based on "gut" instincts or "likeability" rather than rating/ranking candidates compared to job description and needs.

5. Candidate is not sold on opportunity - This is another huge mistake that organizations make. Many do not realize the importance of selling the candidate on their opportunity. They focus mostly on what the candidate can bring to the table rather than what the company offers the candidate. This is a huge mistake when you are trying to attract the top talent in the industry. They have the skills, they will share them with you, but they have been in the industry and know what the market is like. You HAVE to tell them what you can do for them.

In essence, to find and hire the best of the best, you also have to be the best and have the best control of your hiring process that you can. With a thorough hiring process and a top recruiter on your side, you will attract the cream of the crop! Click here for more info.