|
If your home-based business or small business is at such a point where you need to add staff, there are some important issues you should take notice of when screening employees. You see, hiring the wrong staff will just lead to loss of time and money. As such, wouldn't you like to do things right the first time?
Year after year, there are plenty of people seeking work and sending out their resumes. Unfortunately, annual statistics show that about 30% to 40% of applicants provide incomplete or incorrect information. This may be done to simply gloss over their achievements but you should keep an eye out for those who can truly back up their claims on their CVs.
Screening Employees - Find the Answers to these Questions
When hiring staff, it is important that you screen them properly so that you end up picking the best amongst those who have applied. Many business owners skip many things on a person's resume while screening employees and this may not be advantageous in the end. Following are a few items you should have clarified during the screening process.
If the applicant's resume lists many but short-term jobs, ask why the applicant seems to be jumping from one job to another.
Ask about why he left his previous job.
Ask about employment gaps you may see on the resume. This can give you good insight on the applicant's character. Was he dismissed? Has he been lazy and not really been trying to find work the past x years? If you are not convinced about the applicant's reasons, dig deeper.
Contact references! Those names are not listed without reason. Besides, other peoples' insights about the your current applicant may prove to be very beneficial as you will most likely be talking to previous 'bosses'. Many resumes indicate "references to be provided upon request". This often discourages the interviewer from making the effort to get a list of valid references. Don't let this deter you and do indeed request for at least three valid references.
Check out the applicant's background. Verify his social security number; check his driving record and even his credit history if the post you are offering warrants it. These records will give a good idea if the applicant is trustworthy or not.
Your small business can be a well-oiled machine IF you have the right people working for you. So be thorough when screening and hiring employees and you won't be sorry in the long run.
Action Steps to Screening Employees Effectively
- Before the interview, take the time to preview the applicants' resumes again and highlight areas of concern or items that you wish the applicant to elaborate on.
- Keep notes during the meeting.
- Sometimes, it helps to have another person's opinion. Consider inviting a colleague to conduct the interview with you.
Important Points to Screening Employees Effectively
- Ask the applicant to elaborate on any employment gaps you noticed on his resume.
- If the applicant hops from one job to another, ask him why.
- Ask for referrals and DO CALL THEM.
- Conduct a background check on the applicant.
Related Articles
3 Reasons Why You Should Routinely Give Employee Feedback
[ More Management Tips ] |
