With the economy gaining steam and a larger number of small business owners now saying they think their companies could be on track to begin hiring in the near future, it might be a good time for those entrepreneurs to review their practices for interviewing and bringing aboard new workers. Doing so can mean the difference between finding the absolute right person for the job, and someone who might be just average at it.
One of the most important parts of the hiring process that owners who want to find the best person available should keep in mind is that patience is key, according to a report from Crain's Cleveland Business. It can be very easy for an early applicant with strong credentials to come off as being absolutely perfect for the open position, but even still, it might be better to wait and see who else applies. While it's important not to delay hiring for more than a little while, being judicious in the hiring process can be wise; it gives companies the ability to assess as many candidates as possible, and sleep on such a decision, so to speak.
In addition, it might be smart to state in the ads placed online or in newspapers exactly how the hiring process will work, the report said. Setting timetables and letting applicants know when they can expect to be contacted regardless of whether they got the job can make companies seem more professional and give applicants who need answers within a certain time period more assurances that they'll be kept aware of proceedings.
It may likewise be smart for owners to work on their interviewing skills, as these too can help to more quickly determine whether someone is a qualified candidate, the report said. Asking practice questions, reading about good techniques online, and even hiring consulting services can all help in this regard.
Of course, small businesses looking to expand their payrolls will also have to keep other factors in mind as well, including the ways in which their doing so will affect their bottom lines when it comes to small business insurance costs. Bringing on more employees could increase general liability insurance or workers' compensation insurance premiums, and these changes have to be prepared for in addition to the added salary a new worker will be paid.
