7 Tips for Finding and Hiring the Right Employee; The First Time (from the experts at SCORE)

Hiring the right employee, the first time, is probably one of the hardest parts of running a small business.

And nothing is more costly than getting it wrong.

Sometimes hiring mistakes are unavoidable, but with preparation, a firm understanding of your needs, and a targeted search, you can often find exactly the right candidate for your needs.

A great source of hiring advice can be found in the form of SCORE*. SCORE has been offering free advice to business owners for more than 35 years and in addition to partnering business owners directly with professional mentors*, also offers a wealth of online resources to help small businesses be successful.

Here are some of SCOR;s top tips for navigating the hiring process and finding and retaining the right talent.

1) Create a Rounded Job Description

Create a job description that clearly defines the duties of the position, as well as the skill and experiences required to fulfill these responsibilities. And because you are competing with other employers with potentially deeper pockets, make sure your job description is attractive to motivated candidates who are looking for more than perhaps just a big pay check.

Explain how the position has the potential for challenge and growth, your commitment to an appropriate work/life balance, and other benefits over and above salary.

2) Determine your Compensation Package

Determining prevailing wage rates can help you form a sense of how to structure your compensation plan. Take a look at comparable positions in local job listings for clues and talk to local organizations such as your chamber of commerce, Small Business Development Center, or employment bureaus for advice on salary and benefits. Some benefits are required by law, some not. Check out this Employee Benefit Guide from Business.gov for information on what benefits are required and what are not.

3) Set a Realistic Timetable for your Search

Do-t feel pressured to make a quick hire because of an upcoming initiative or a pending project. If you need help sooner rather than later, spread the work load out among existing employees, or consider hiring a temp or independent contractor to help out until you find the right hire.

4) Advertise Your Job

Spreading the word is always best done in a targeted fashion, and the same goes for finding and attracting the right candidates. Putting an ad in the paper may attract a deluge of candidates, but i-s certain that most will be unqualified. Try to narrow and focus your search. This might be as simple as putting a'help wante' sign in your store front window, but if your position is specialized, advertise your listing with targeted channels such as trade publications and online job boards that allow you to narrow your search criteria.

Networking is also a great way to find talent. Get the word out via your professional society, trade association, LinkedIn network, or via partners, present employees, customers and friends.

5) The Selection Process

Because you already have a defined sense of what you are looking for, selecting candidates for interview should't be too difficult. Keep your pool of interview candidate small, no more than 4-5 is a good number. Be consistent in your preparation, questions and interviewing across all candidates.

Ask broad, open questions. Let candidates tell you what they think is important for you to know about the'it can be very revealing! Then follow up with detailed questions.

Judge applicants on skills and characteristics valuable to success, not on doing the same job elsewhere.

You will also need to be aware of Equal Opportunity Laws and Prohibited Employment Practices' including what information you what ca't ask candidates during the interview process.

6) Follow-Up

To help you with your hiring decision, i's always a good practice to invite your shortlist of candidates back for a second interview and, if possible, have someone else in your business conduct an informal peer interview.

Do check references. Many larger companies do't and it can help you avoid a dangerous mistake. If the position involves access to sensitive data, finances, etc. you may wish to consider doing a full background check. Remember, you don't have unlimited rights to dig into an employee's background, so read up on what you can and can't do when conducting a pre-employment background check.

7) You've got a New Hire - Now What?

There is a lot involved in on-boarding a new hire. Here are some additional resources from Business.gov that can help you handle your employer obligations and grow and retain your team talent!

• Business.gov Employers Guide - From taking care of employment forms, setting up payroll, and complying with labor laws, this guide covers all aspects of managing an employee.
• Growing your Business as a Team: 10 Team Building Tips from the Real World of Small Business
• Get More from Your Team - 5 Employee Incentive Program Ideas that Pay Off

Related Articles

• Human Resources 101: A Quick Guide for Employers
• Hiring Foreign Workers? Welcome to America
• Hiring Interns - 6 Tips for Setting up an Internship Program
• Enhance Your Workforce - And Save Money - by Hiring Veterans and People with Disabilities
• After New Law Changes, What Does An Employee Really Cost You?

Sources

• 60-Second Guide to Hiring the Right People*
• Hire and Keep Good People*

*Note: Hyperlink directs reader to non-government Web site.

About the Author

Caron Beesley is a small business owner, a writer, and marketing communications consultant. Caron works with the SBA.gov team to promote essential government resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners start-up, grow and succeed. Follow Caron on Twitter: @caronbeesley