Study the Position Carefully

If you believe the hiring process starts at the interview, or perhaps one step before, when selecting resumes for interviews, think again. The hiring process actually starts before you even post the job. What you need to focus on first is developing a clear and honest description of the vacant position.

What specific combination of background, qualifications, and personality would work well in this position and with this team? The cultural fit of your candidate is critical to the hiring process.

Give Yourself Time to Digest the Interview

First impressions, biased opinions and stress can all play a role when making a quick hiring decision. Let some time pass between the interview and informing the candidate that they have been chosen. Wait a minimum of  30 minutes after the interview is over to make a decision if time is of the absolute essence – otherwise we recommend you sleep on it and consult with your team first.

Avoid Personal Bias

When making the decision to extend an offer, make sure you are doing so because it is most beneficial decision for your organization, and not just because you happen to get along with the candidate.

Test the Candidate’s Skills

Just as actors have to audition for a role in a play or movie,   candidate auditions may benefit your hiring process. Temporary/Contract employees allow you to get a true feel on how they work without making a fulltime commitment upfront. Not only you can measure their performance, but you can also evaluate their interaction with other employees and how well they fit into the organization’s culture.

Follow-Up

No matter how careful you are with the hiring process and how much you follow the best advice from experts, sometimes things can still go awry. It is very important to evaluate how your new employees are adjusting every 30, 45 or 90 days. Also, solicit input from their co-workers to provide broader understanding of what’s working and what’s not.

David Klein is a leading Executive IT Recruiter & Headhunter with over 15 years’ industry experience. As the Head of Recruitment Strategy for KDS Executive Search & Staffing, he has achieved industry-leading success across several industry verticals and skill sets. In addition, David has successfully introduced and trained many in the art of Executive Recruitment and Headhunting. If you are in need of strategic hiring solutions, contact David at 646-650-2833 or david@kdsstaffing.com.