The unthinkable has happened – a great employee has tendered their resignation as they leave in search of greener pastures. Not do you have to go through losing someone with experience and great work ethic, but you are now faced with the daunting task of replacing them. Not sure where to start? Below are some suggestions for tackling the exhausting recruitment process without losing your sanity.
Get Help
Just because a recruitment process needs to happen doesn’t mean your everyday work reduces or ceases to occur. You don’t have endless time to read applications, interview countless applicants and review work samples. So find help. People analytics companies like Revelian are designed specifically to help you find the best candidates for any position, based upon capability, work ethic and attitude. click here to read about the proven technique of psychometric testing that can be used to find your next great employee.
Be Brutal
The most time-consuming part of recruitment is reading through the numerous applications when the job is first advertised. Develop a cut-throat method for culling applicants which you can use to significantly reduce the number you need to read in detail. If the position advertised is in communications, bin any applications that contain spelling errors or lack clarity. If it is a design position, bin anything that doesn’t include portfolio samples. You can even include an instruction in the advertisement on submitting applications. Disregard any applications that don’t follow instructions appropriately. It may seem brutal, but you want someone with good attention to detail and ability to follow basic instructions.
Allow the Interviewees to Feel at Home
The method of intimidating interviewees to see how they cope with difficult situations can be flawed. Interviews are stressful already and by intentionally worsening the environment, you won’t be getting an honest reaction from anyone. Those that thrive under pressure may also not be working at their best under a day-to-day working environment and those who fail the stress-test may simply have been caught off guard in an already stressful situation.
Instead, allow them to feel comfortable. Encourage them to relax, discuss their life, their achievements, their dreams, and you will instantly discover more of their personality and the importance they place on work. Besides, you can always ask hard questions once they are relaxed and you may receive a great insight into how they handle a curveball question.
Trust your gut
Ultimately, humans have a relatively good sixth sense, but many don’t trust it. Allow yourself to listen to your instinct after an interview. You may have found the perfect candidate on paper, but if the interview leaves you with an unsure feeling in your gut, don’t ignore it. Instead, find the interviewee who leaves you feeling pleasantly surprised or, even better, excited to hire.
These are just a few simple tips for finding the right employee for the job, and for the company. Of course, there are plenty of other things to consider while recruiting. Share your tips for recruiting great people in the comments below.
