How to Hire a New Employee

Hiring a new employee is a very important task. If you hire the incorrect person, this action can reflect negatively on your skills as a leader. It is best to take your time in hiring the correct individual with the skills you are looking for, than to hire anyone over night just to fill a vacancy. You want to hire someone who not only meets, but exceeds your expectations.

Instructions

1. Identify the position available with its name and description of duties. Think of what you expect of your new employee in terms of the characteristics necessary for the job. Make a checklist of what you are looking for in your new employee in terms of industry knowledge, skills and education. Once you know exactly what you are looking for, you won’t settle for the first candidate that comes along.

2. Advertise the position available. Remember to include your contact information so that candidates can send you their resumes. Post this information on your company’s bulletin board, in newspaper classified ads, and on Internet job websites. Once you start receiving resumes, select the applicants that best fit the description of what you want.

3. Schedule a date and time to meet with prospective candidates. Prepare for this meeting by having a series of questions you want to ask each person. Think of things you would like to know from each candidate, such as additional information on educational background, previous job experience, salary requirements, reasons for leaving previous jobs, likes and dislikes in general.

4. When meeting with a candidate, give him your undivided attention by listening carefully to his answers. Take notes on each interview and write down your impression. At the end of the day, it will be hard for you to remember everyone you interviewed, so your notes will help you to identify each applicant you met with during the interview process.

5. At the end of the interview, ask the candidate if she has any questions and be prepared to answer them. Have information on your company’s benefits, hours and any other perks that your company may have. These are things prospective employees ask about. Remember to always thank each candidate for taking the time to meet with you and for having an interest in your company. Mention an estimated time when you will be making a decision and that if she is chosen as your company’s new employee you will be in contact with her.

6. Once you finish the interview process, take the time to go through your checklist of required characteristics to see how each candidate scored. Think carefully about your first impression when meeting with each candidate and review your notes. If you are unsure about two or more candidates you can always conduct a second interview to reassess each applicant’s qualities.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that you are the one hiring for the new job, and although you can listen to other people’s suggestions regarding applicants, don’t feel pressured by what anyone says. Listen to your instincts.

• Stay away from asking about age, marital status, religion or politics. Asking about these subjects in a job interview can seem discriminatory when choosing one candidate over another.