Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
As entrepreneurs, we hate to see missed opportunities, especially when they are pitfalls we could have avoided. Recruitment pitfalls are among the most common mistakes we make.
As an entrepreneur for over 15 years, I’ve made my share of mistakes in the hiring process and experienced these pitfalls just as much as the following. I’ve seen companies clean up these common mistakes and radically transform their business by having more and better qualified candidates.
There is a common tendency to identify that you have hiring problems. Chances are some or all of these signs resonate with you:
- Not getting qualified candidates
- Lack of response from candidates
- Taking too long to hire
- New recruits leave faster than they arrive
- Compensation is more like a guessing game
Related: 3 Difficult Workplace Personalities Who Make Great Recruits
Hiring the right people is one of the most important things a small business can do to be successful. But with so many great job opportunities, it can be difficult to stand out from the competition and retain the best. That’s why optimizing your hiring process is important to attracting and retaining the best possible candidates.
Here are five ways to do this:
Are you getting enough qualified applicants?
The most common red flag that your hiring process needs a makeover is few or no qualified candidates. To resolve this problem :
1. Make your job postings stand out.
Your job postings are the first thing potential candidates will see, so it’s important to make them count.
Write clear, concise descriptions that highlight the unique aspects of your business and the position you’re hiring for. Use keywords relevant to the post and make sure your post is easy to read and skim.
To make an impact, focus on your company’s story as much as what you want the candidate to do for the job. One-sided jobs tend to underperform jobs with a mixed balance between what we’ll do for you and what you’ll do for us.
Job titles can be your biggest differentiator. Posting a job with fictitious titles or heavy promotional text can limit your visibility score on job boards. Use titles in your job ad that candidates would be looking for
Related: The 3 Most Common and Costly Hiring Mistakes
2. Be proactive in your recruiting.
Don’t wait for candidates to come to you. Go out and find them! Attend industry events, network with other companies and use social media to promote your open positions.
The more proactive you are, the more likely you are to find the perfect candidates for your team. Having hiring cards to share with people who impress you can be a great way to find A-players and invite them to join your team.
Consider encouraging teammates to share their experiences with your company culture on social media platforms, and team events can create a healthy SEO pipeline.
Related: ‘Silent Hiring’ Is On The Horizon – Here’s What Employers And Employees Need To Know
How would you know if the ideal candidate was applying for your job?
Celebrate the selection process to keep these candidates in your pipeline.
3. Select candidates carefully.
Once you start receiving applications, it’s important to screen them carefully to make sure they’re a good fit for your business.
To properly review resumes and cover letters, having a documented scorecard will help you keep your analysis of job requirements in mind, control your biases, and conduct phone interviews to get an idea. skills and experience of each candidate.
4. Make the interview process enjoyable.
First impressions are important, so make sure your interview process is positive and enjoyable for candidates. It means being on time, being prepared and being professional. It also means treating applicants with respect and allowing them to ask questions.
Ways to be better prepared for your interview process is to build your interview kit with a mix of “get to know yourself” and job-specific questions.
Are you paying enough?
Let’s avoid the awkwardness of aligning offsets.
5. Offer competitive salaries and benefits.
In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract the best possible candidates. Be sure to research the going rate for the position you are hiring for and offer a salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Having confidence in your compensation offer will give you peace of mind when negotiations begin. Your high and low end options will be available.