by Alli Hill
If you lost an employee (or two) right now, how are you prepared to fill the void?
In the ideal world, the right candidate walks through your door looking for a job at the precise moment you need to hire someone. However, for most of us, it just doesn't happen that way. Hiring requires a lot of work on your part, but having a plan in place helps make the process quicker and easier. Here are three things to consider when crafting your hiring plan:
- Know where (and how) to look. If you solely rely on candidates to walk in to your store and hand you their application, you're missing out. To get the best candidates, you have to remain proactive in the search. Posting on internet job boards may get you a large number of applicants, but will also get you the widest variety of applicants, too. This makes it more difficult and time consuming to sift through the more qualified candidates. Don't neglect college campuses, job fairs, or your own company website. Referrals from family, friends and current employees can also result in high potential candidates, so don't be afraid to ask.
- Never stop networking. If you search for quality candidates only when you need to hire someone, you limit the opportunities for job seekers to learn about your company. Maybe you don't have a position open right now, but the more you network the greater chance you have of coming across good candidates that will look for future opportunities with you. Set up a booth at local job fairs, add connections on LinkedIn, or keep in touch with candidates who may have potential with your company in the future.
- Know your current staffing needs. It's not always enough to find someone competent enough to do the job. Consider what qualities and strengths a candidate needs to plug in to your current employee ecosystem, aside from their ability to handle the job. Do you currently have any weak areas that could use a boost? Would a certain personality type contribute to or upset the work environment? Figure out the most important areas for a new hire to fit in, and work from there.
Remember, some things are just out of your hands, like when a good employee leaves for another opportunity you just can't compete with, or when it's in your company's best interest to dismiss a dishonest or poor-performing team member. So keep your focus on the things you can control, like your hiring plan, and stay prepared for whatever comes your way. One day, you'll be glad you did.
On a personal note, I am heading out of the office for a while to welcome my new daughter to the world. See you in August!
