As the economy appears to be slowly turning around, more companies are placing help wanted ads.
In doing so, company HR managers charged with hiring need to be sure they are in sync with the rules and recommendations as they relate to interviewing and hiring the right employees.
While the interview process is very important, there is much more that goes into it than just those minutes the person in charge of human resources and/or a department head sits face-to-face across from a potential employee.
Before sitting down with a potential recruit, keep several things in mind:
- Know your legalese before the interview. Laws clearly state what is and isn’t permitted in questioning a candidate. For those employers not up to speed on these matters, consult an attorney with a background in employment law so the company isn’t placed in jeopardy.
- Know where and how this potential employee will fit into your company. One analogy to use is placing people on a bus. Where exactly will this person being interviewed sit if you hire them? Are they likely to ride up front and be a team player or will they look to sit in the back of the bus and follow the crowd?
- Determine which is more important, education or skill set? Some of the most educated individuals turn out to be terrible employees and vice-versa. Several degrees do not automatically mean you have your prized employee within grasp. While education is important, experience in the field is just as if not more important.
- Be prepared to answer some questions too. If a prospective employee is interested in your company, he or she will ask questions. An interview where you do all the talking can serve as a red flag that this individual’s interest level in your company is minimal at best. Be direct, ask that person why they want to work for you and how they see themselves fitting it.
- Lastly, HR managers need to do their research on each individual, especially when the interest level in having them as a possible employee is high. People leave jobs for various reasons, so within the parameters of the rules and regulations most companies play by, find out about the individual’s work history and how they go to the point of interviewing with your company.
Employers sometimes pick the wrong employees and employees sometimes go to work for the wrong employers. Sometimes those happenings occur because of a misstep by the HR department. If you do not have a full-time HR person on staff, consider hiring a consultant to educate those employees who will be involved in the hiring process.
In order to increase the chances you will find the right candidate, put your resources to work.
