Posts Tagged ‘Applicant testing’

Hiring - Why Do I Have To Do it?

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

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Why is it that many people dread hiring?

Well, the answer is actually quite simple (especially if you’ve done it before) - nightmare hiring stories, horrible candidates showing up at your office, way too time intensive and the uncertainty of whether you’ve made the right decision or not… only to find out potentially when it’s too late.

Guess you should have used a hiring assessment… or perhaps some sort of employee performance software… but at the end of the day, hiring can be a very painful task that would be most likely pawned off to someone else. But there are good reasons why you - not your assistant, intern or someone else should do it.

1. Managing Expectations:

Only you - and you alone (isn’t that part of a song?) know what it is you are looking for. That is why you should be the one who is doing the hiring. The best thing you could do is to prepare, list and plan ahead before embarking. Certainly make use of resources and tools that will make the actual hiring process easier, and there are a number of tools available that do just that - but having someone else do the work for you because of convenience is a recipe for problems.

2. Knowing The Role/Company

As we always emphasize, fit of a candidate is almost more important then hard skills these days. Meeting someone yourself and seeing how you get along, rather then the letters that proceed their last name is extremely important. Having someone walk into your office that was hired off-site and that you have never met can again spell disaster and quick firing.

3. Establishing The Mood

Hiring yourself is a great base-builder for future conversations and building team dynamic. It’s important to have a direct and transparent (where and when appropriate) relationship. By doing the hiring yourself, you’ll have the opportunity to talk openly and ensure that you can communicate expectations openly from the start.

4. If You Want It Done Right - Do It Yourself

Every have to rely on someone else to do it? Then you’ll know how frustrating that can be. Now imagine having to rely on someone to do your hiring… you get the idea. Just remember, you get out of it what you put in - so if you want something done right and to your standards - do it yourself!

For more information on hiring done right, getting answers from our experts and the tools available to you, visit ClearFit.

Top 10 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Employees

Monday, May 4th, 2009

1. Understand that Each Employee is Different

Although it may be easy to paint all employees with the same brush, it is very important to realize that every individual is unique. Rather than thinking of your employees as a single, homogeneous work force, ensure that you realize the diversity of your employees and the potential inherent in that diversity. Realizing that your employees have different needs, requirements and expectations is the first step to realizing their full potential.

2. Manage Your Expectations

Perhaps your employee isn’t the problem – maybe it’s you! It is important for any employer to lay out specific expectations and benchmarks ahead of the game. Sitting down and drawing up a plan of action and expectations is a very useful exercise that will make sure that not only your employee stays on track, but that you do as well.

3. Manage Your Employee’s Expectations

Along with managing your own expectations as an employer, you must also manage your employee’s expectations. Transparency and open honest communications between employer and employee will ensure that you are both on the same wavelength and avoid any confusion about expectations and responsibilities.

4. Utilize Development Resources

Don’t be afraid to reach out and utilize some of the many development resources that exist out there. You have a range of options available to you to aid you in the process of getting the most out of your employees. While some of those options can be pricey, there are good tools you can use that are easily accessible and won’t break the bank. Other ideas include pairing up employees with mentors, creating coaching plans, joining professional networks and inviting industry experts to coach and work with your employees.

5. Provide a Challenging Environment

Put yourself in the shoes of your employees - if you were placed in an unchallenging and monotonous environment, chances are you wouldn’t like it either. Instead, ensure that you provide a challenging and dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and excitement.

Check back tomorrow for number 6 through 10!

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