6 things business owners should do before interviewing potential employees

Taking a small business from a startup to a success story is a challenging difficult task. To turn your dream of becoming a successful business owner into reality, you must hire the right employees. While most entrepreneurs handle all aspects of running a business single-handedly in the beginning, this eventually becomes problematic.

Before hiring employees, you will need to invest time and energy into interviewing each candidate. The average interview/hiring process takes around 23 days. Trying to rush through this process can create several problems in the long run.

Luckily, there are a variety of things you can do to make the employee interview process easier and more efficient. Read below to find out how business owners can ace the employee interview process.

1. Putting the right technology in place is crucial

   Tasks such as manually uploading job listings on various online message boards can be time-consuming and frustrating. Instead of letting these mundane tasks take your focus off of your business, you need to use an applicant tracking system (ATS) during the hiring process. Not only can this software help you reduce the amount of time spent on administrative tasks, but you can also narrow down the vast number of resumes you receive for a particular position.

   An ATS uses a complex algorithm to scan resumes. Business owners can pick from a list of keywords and indicators before the scanning process begins. With these variables, the ATS can pick out the best resumes for a business owner. If you are looking for a way to speed up the recruitment cycle and ensure a quality hire, then an ATS is a great investment. You can learn more about how an ATS work before choosing the right one.

2. Brainstorm with your existing employees before hiring new employees

   One of the most important aspects of the hiring process is creating a detailed and accurate job listing. It should adequately describe the requirements for the position you need to fill. Instead of trying to come up with this job listing on your own, consult with other members of your team.

   Often, team members can offer a fresh perspective on what is required of an employee. A brainstorming session will help you get the information regarding the role a new employee needs to fill and what skills are required to excel in a new position.
   

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   Also, before interviewing a potential candidate, you need to figure out what type of pre-employment screenings are required. Generally, businesses in the US use medical physicals and drug screenings for their new employees. This helps you avoid potentially bad hires.

3. Choosing the right interview time and method

   Once you start to narrow down the list of applicants, it will be time to start the interview process. Some business owners fail to realize that there are a number of ways they can conduct these meetings. If the applicant lives in the same area where your business is located, having a face to face meeting is a good option. However, this will not be possible if you are using a remote worker to fill a position.

   Using tools such as a video chatting software is essential when trying to connect with a remote applicant. Before conducting interviews, you need to figure out what you have on your schedule. Ideally, you want to schedule the meeting during a time when you don’t have many tasks to do. You will also need to offer the candidate a high degree of flexibility. Doing this will show them that your company is willing to go the extra mile to work with them.

4. Prepare for the interview

   Going into the interview process without a list of questions for an applicant is a huge mistake. Taking the time to adequately prepare for an interview can help you get all the information you need  to make the right hire. Asking questions regarding a person’s previous experience and what they view as their strengths and weaknesses is vital. 

   Once you get this information, you can figure out whether a particular person is the right fit for your needs. Many business owners use personality tests to get more information about potential employees. The more you know about a potential employee, the easier it will be to hire them with confidence. 

   If you feel like you don’t have the time or the skills needed to handle the interview and hiring process alone, outsourcing these responsibilities may be a good idea. Luckily, there are a number of staffing agencies that will be more than happy to lend a hand. Typically, these agencies will have a large pool of talent they can pull from to fill your vacancies. However, before hiring an agency to help with this important work, take a look at their reputation and track record. 

5. Evaluate each candidate beforehand

   In most cases, business owners receive several  resumes when they post about a job listing on the Internet. Rather than getting overwhelmed with the hiring process, taking the time to evaluate each candidate should be your main goal. Just because you receive tons of applications doesn’t mean you have to slack when it comes to checking for references or contacting the candidate’s former employers. 

   Following such practices can give you an idea of how well they performed for others in the past. You need to make sure that the potential candidate left their last job on good terms. If you are confronted with a slew of bad reviews for a particular candidate, you may need to avoid hiring them. 

6. Work on assessing candidates’ long-term potential

   Hiring new employees can be a very stressful and time-consuming process. This is why choosing employees that want a long-term career within your organization is of utmost importance. During the interview process, you need to ask questions regarding where a person sees himself/herself  in the next five or ten years. The answer to this question can provide you with valuable insights into how long a person will be with your company. 

   Also, be sure to give the candidate some information on opportunities such as salary increase and other benefits. Creating a team of loyal employees will require you to put a lot of energy into enhancing your team’s skills and utilizing the strengths they have. The money and time you invest in developing the talent you have in place will pay off in the long run. 

Great employees are the backbone of a successful business

While finding and hiring the right employees can be difficult, it is well worth the effort you invest. With the right employees, you can grow and expand your business with ease.

Read – Top tips to prepare for software engineering interviews 

Wendy Dessler Author 2 Blogs