By Jacqueline McClure
Genesis Background Screening Services
Based on the amount of resumes you receive whenever you have a job posting, you may think that there are always a lot of qualified candidates just ready and waiting for an opportunity like yours, but if you take a closer look at the resumes, you will quickly find out that the majority of them do not have the skills, experience, or qualities that would make them the right hire for your company.
While it has always been a wise strategy to be prepared and plan ahead for staffing, recently more and more employers are being more proactive with their hiring practices. Recognizing that the hiring process takes longer than it used to, many companies begin their search before they actually need a new employee to avoid making a decision in panic mode. Of course, if someone leaves with little notice, you may not have the luxury of time, but if you will need to expand your staff based on near-future needs, you can make better choices with proactive hiring practices.
Before you start your search is a good time to review the job description and see if it is realistic for the tasks that need to be performed and the skills needed to be successful in the job. Many job descriptions have been handed down from person to person over the years and don’t really reflect the changes that have occurred in responsibility, technology, and the traits that are desired in a great candidate. And, if it is a new position, this is the time to get the job description right. Hiring the right person is a lot of effort; hiring the right person without knowing what skills and qualities that person needs to possess is nearly impossible!
One way to be proactive with recruiting is to get your employees involved in your talent search; they can help you get the word out through their LinkedIn networks. A referral from a quality employee is likely to introduce you to someone that is a similar caliber and gives you more insight into who they are instead of the frequently exaggerated or downright false information you get by looking at resumes. If your valued employee is willing to endorse someone, it is reasonable to expect that they would want to work with them and think that person would be an asset to your company.
Another reason to hire proactively: you have the time to open up a dialog with passive candidates. They probably aren’t talking to other recruiters and less likely to be in a big hurry since they are not actively job searching. And, if you are the only company they are talking to, you shouldn’t need to worry as much about competing with other companies on salary and benefits.
No matter how you recruit for your company, don’t take shortcuts just to fill your position. The wrong hire can cause your company legal problems, financial loss, personnel issues, and a lot of wasted time. Many candidates look great on paper and charm their way through an interview, but a well-performed background screening will give you what you need to make an intelligent and informed decision. For more information, contact Genesis Background Screening Services at 866 944-0041 ext. 103, email getstarted@gbsspro.com or visit www.genesisbackgroundscreening.com
