5 Tips for Hiring Awesome Employees

By Stefanie Neyland, Small Business Content Developer at BizLaunch.com

 

Talented, dedicated staff members are essential to any successful business—big or small. However, sometimes finding rockstar employees is easier said than done, especially when that deluge of resumes comes flooding into your inbox immediately after posting a job opening. With this in mind, here are five great tips to help you source awesome employees for your biz.

 

1. Leverage your network

You never know who your contacts know—it might just be your next new hire. Ask fellow mentors, employees and friends if they know anyone who could be a good fit at your company.

 

2. Look for diverse skills

It can be tempting to hire several people who are all analytical and logical or who are highly creative, but your business will benefit more from hiring people with different skill sets to balance one another. Consider the positions you’re hiring for and what skills would be best for each.

 

3. Identify problem-solvers

A 20-minute interview can’t always show you how a job applicant would react in a given situation, so set up scenarios and ask them to share how they would respond. For example, you could ask, “Say you’re in danger of going over budget. How do you handle that?” A solid candidate will be quick on their feet and able to show that they've thought through the process.

 

4. Ask about goals

You can identify whether a person is the right fit for your company simply by asking what her goals and dreams are, as well as what he or she can contribute to the business. If you’re hiring an accountant whose answer to the “goals and dreams” question is that they want to be a baker, they’re likely not looking for a long-term career as an accountant.

 

5. Hire for attitude

Experience can be gained and people can be trained on specific skills, but it’s just as important—if not more-so—that the individual you hire has the right personality traits to suit your company. Look for someone with a positive attitude who is able to learn from their past mistakes.

 

Bonus: Ensure they're fast learners

Orientation processes can take weeks—even months, but as a small business owner you don't have that kind of time. This means it’s important for new hires to get up to speed as quickly as possible. Try to look for candidates who have the ability to pick up new information quickly and with ease.

 

The best thing you can do to attract great employees is operate a fantastic company that they’ll want to work for. Lead by example and be accessible to your staff. Be the kind of business owner and manager that you would want to work for and great candidates will find you.