Common Hiring Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Hiring decisions that don’t turn out well can have costly implications for an organization, resulting in the loss of time, resources, and revenue. It is important to remember that recruitment is a form of investment in the future of your company.
While it is important to find individuals that have the required skills for the position, it’s also important for them to match your company’s culture. To make sure both of those are true and prevent long-term detriment to your business, it’s important to avoid hiring mistakes whenever possible.
Below are some of the most common hiring mistakes employers make–and how to prevent them.
Vague Job Descriptions
A vague or overly general job description can mislead applicants. This often results in applications from individuals that wouldn’t match the position, which can waste both your and the applicant’s time.
To avoid this type of mistake, make sure that you have detailed job descriptions, a written policy, and clear communication about benefits that you promise. Being honest can help you foster an environment of trust and avoid the risk of lawsuits for making promises that you can’t keep.
Rushing the Hire
With certain vacancies, there may be additional pressure on hiring manages to make a quick decision to fill the position. Hiring referrals from your current employees or taking the first applicant could result in a great hire, but it won’t happen all the time. In particular, relying on inside referrals may result in stagnation by limiting the perspectives within your organization.
Try to be patient when hiring to make sure that you find the right candidate for the position. Having more time to review all necessary information and consider other applicants can help you be more confident in your hiring decision.
Skipping Background Checks
When the perfect candidate comes along, it can be tempting to skip the background check and put them in the position as soon as possible. However, a background check is essential to build an in-depth understanding of how a candidate will perform in the position and the company.
Make sure to check references. If applicable, and confirm that all information, such as education, certifications, and work history, are accurate. By conducting and reviewing background checks, you can be more confident that valuable company information and relationships are in the right hands.
Neglecting Company Culture
Although skills and aptitude are extremely important considerations for hiring decisions, it’s also important to consider aspects beyond their technical skills. Whether the applicant matches the company culture is important because it can determine how they interact with colleagues and clients.
Make sure to consider applicant personality and assess if they would be a good match with the culture of the company. Try to share portions of your company culture with applicants so that both you and the applicant are able to determine whether it will be a good match.
Conclusion
Hiring new employees can be tricky sometimes, but when you do find a good match, it can have tremendous benefits for your company’s growth. Keep these tips in mind during recruitment to ensure that you are making the right hiring decisions.