Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/human-resources-articles/7-steps-to-hiring-the-perfect-employee-2000459.html
Author: Brian Bijdeveldt
Brian is a Melbourne based Business Coach and Consultant specializing in Marketing (both online and offline) for the small business entrepreneur. Using proven and practical strategies and techniques Brian empowers business owners to increase their sales, profits and cash. Visit Brian's Melbourne Business Coaching site or his Business Blog for free business tools and downloads
Employee recruitment and retention is one of the primary challenges facing employers today. One common mistake small businesses make when recruiting new staff is to not follow a defined process. In doing so they are, in effect, ensuring their recruitment efforts are going to be haphazard at best.
Hiring the wrong employee is expensive, disruptive to your existing employees, and time consuming. Hiring the right employee, on the other hand, pays you back in increased productivity, a successful employment relationship, and a positive impact on your total work environment. Effective recruitment results in an organization hiring employees who are skilled, experienced, and good fits with your corporate culture.
This guide for hiring employees will help you systematize your process for hiring employees, whether it's your first employee or one of many employees you are hiring. By having a defined process, it is easier to track the progress of recruitment throughout its various stages.
Preparation
Defining the need for a new employee (either a new position created or replacement of vacating staff). Decide on lead times for filling the position/s. Have a discussion with the section manager, key employees and (if you have this position) your HR representative. Develop and prioritize the key requirements needed from the position and the special qualifications, traits, characteristics, and experience you seek in a candidate. These will assist you in writing the classified ad; framing interview questions; and screen resultant resumes for potential candidate interviews.
If it is a new position, research the market for a salary range that is appropriate. Add any benefits, bonuses, commissions etc that may be applicable. These can be used as "sweeteners".
Develop The Job Description
Based on the defined business skills gap and functions you want performed, document the Job Description. This is an important document used both internally and when communicating with external recruitment agencies.
Define the hours they will work and the important tasks and outcomes expected of them. Agree the selection criteria to be satisfied. This will be critical when assessing applications and candidates.
Choose The Interviewers
Determine the interview panel or individuals that will be creating the candidate interview questions and test activities. There may be one or many people involved in the interview process. Clear communication of responsibilities for the coordination of the interview process for the business and the candidates is critical. The interviewer you select will have a large impact on the quality and appropriateness of the candidates chosen for the position.
Decide-Internal Or External Hire?
Brainstorm potential ways to locate a well-qualified pool of candidates for each position. Work out whether this position is going to be filled by a qualified internal candidate. If so, distribute an email to notify staff that you are hiring employees. Otherwise you can:
Screen Candidates
Hold interviews.
Make sure each interviewer is clear about their role in the interview process. (Culture fit, technical qualifications, customer responsiveness and knowledge are several of the screening responsibilities you may allocate to individual interviewers.) Interviewers should follow a structured approach and fill out the Job Candidate Evaluation Form post interview.
Conduct interviews during which the candidate is assessed and has the opportunity to learn about your organization and your needs.
Select The New Employee
Reference and qualifications checks are conducted. It may be necessary to perform police checks (do they have a criminal record?). Through the entire interviewing process stay in touch with the most qualified candidates via phone and email. Assess feedback notes from interviewers as well as criteria scores in selecting the most suitable candidate.