Starting a business or organization of your own is exciting, and you likely feel a sense of accomplishment with each task that you check off of your to-do list. One of those tasks involves hiring employees. Knowing what to look for in candidates is an important part of staying organized and focused during the process and of ultimately hiring the right people.
Experience in the Field
As the owner of a new entity, you likely realize how important gaining experience is to learning. You’ve probably learned a lot in the last few months. Employees who already have experience in the field are likely to bring refined skills to the workplace. Be open-minded in terms of what constitutes experience though. A recent college graduate with robust internship or volunteer experience can be just as suitable for the position as someone who has held a full-time job in the field.
Application Material
A hiring agency can help you to evaluate how effectively prospective candidates have responded to your call for applications. If candidates do not follow the directions on the applications, these individuals may very well not be good fits for the job. When candidates fail to follow directions or when they submit incomplete applications, they can give off the impression that they don’t really care much about the job.
Job History
Regardless of whether the candidates had positions in the field or not, you have to take a close look at their job histories. Hiring individuals who are ready and willing to commit to the position is important. A person who keeps getting new jobs and then leaving them, particularly in a short span of time, is probably not a good fit for your company. This individual may abandon the position in the near future. Also, take into account why prospective candidates left their previous jobs as well.
Communication Skills
Whether the position is a client-facing one or not, communication skills are pivotal in the workplace. Employees must know how to effectively communicate with their colleagues and managers. Depending upon the nature of the position, you may also need to evaluate candidates’ written communication skills. If the position involves the writing and editing of material, the right candidate will have to demonstrate a command of the written word.
Hiring employees is difficult. You have to make evaluations about people based on somewhat limited information. Following some tips in terms of what to look for in the candidate pool, however, is helpful.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.
