While you may think you can’t possibly make hiring mistakes if you’re running a small business, think again! There are certain things you need to look out for, and we’re here to help by going over what those are.
Once you know what to look out for, you can feel more confident about incorporating new people into your business. By going into interviews prepared and by knowing which questions to ask, you can feel more confident about making the best hiring decisions for your company.
Now, let’s get into those small business hiring mistakes and how to avoid them.
- Not Doing Your Research
Not doing your research is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. This can lead to hiring the wrong person for the job. When you’re hiring, take the time to research the candidate’s background, experience, skills, and qualifications.
Make sure they’re a good fit for the job and the company. Also, be sure to check references and do a background check. By taking the time to do this, you can avoid making a costly mistake.
Moreover, take the time to research the role you’re looking to fill. This means understanding the skills and experience required, as well as the company culture and values.
- Job Descriptions That Are Too Vague
Having a job description that is too vague can attract a lot of applicants who may not be qualified for the position, which can waste the time of the employer and the applicants. It can make it more difficult to weed out unqualified candidates.
To avoid this mistake when crafting your job description and posting job openings, be specific about the duties and responsibilities of the role, the qualifications, experience, and skills that are required for the position.
In addition, include information about the company culture and the team that the applicant will be working with. You can also review open opportunities on Bradsby Group Executive Headhunters‘ web pages to get an idea of specific job descriptions.
- Not Considering the Whole Person
When looking for a new employee, it is important to consider not only their skill set and experience but also their personality and how they will fit into the company culture. Trying to fit a square peg into a round hole is a recipe for disaster and will only lead to frustration for both the employer and the employee.
By taking the time to get to know the person as a whole, you will be much more likely to find someone who is a good fit for your company.
- Not Checking References
One of the most important things to do is to check the applicant’s references. Calling up previous employers and supervisors can give you a good idea of what the potential employee is like to work with. Unfortunately, many small business owners skip this step, which can lead to hiring someone who’s not a good fit for the job.
If you’re not sure how to check references, start by asking the applicant for a list of people you can contact. Once you have that, give each reference a call and ask about the applicant’s skills, work ethic, and how they handle difficult situations.
If you’re having trouble getting in touch with references, or they’re giving you vague answers, that’s a red flag that you should move on to someone else. Checking references may take a bit of time, but it’s worth it to find the right person for the job.
- Not Having a Budget in Mind
Not having a budget in mind can lead to overspending on unnecessary employee costs, such as salary, benefits, and overhead. Without a budget, it can be difficult to measure whether or not a new hire is truly providing value to the company.
To avoid this mistake, take the time to sit down and map out your ideal budget for each new position. This will help you weed out any candidates that are overpriced or underqualified.
- Not Having a Structured Interview Process
Avoid making the mistake of not having a structured interview process. Take the time to develop a list of interview questions that will help you assess a candidate’s skills, experience, and fit for the role. And be sure to ask follow-up questions when interviewing job candidates to get a sense of how a candidate would handle various situations that may arise on the job.
By taking the time to properly vet candidates upfront, you can help ensure that you’re making the best possible hiring decision for your small business.
- Not Being Involved in the Process
You need to get involved in the employee hiring process. If you’re not the one conducting the interviews, make sure you’re at least in the room so you can get a feel for the candidates.
To help you with this, ask your employees for input. They’re the ones who will be working with the new hire, so they should have a say in who gets the job. Also, trust your gut. If something feels off about a candidate, don’t ignore it.
- Hiring Friends or Family Members Without Reviewing Their Qualifications
Hiring friends or family members without first reviewing their qualifications can lead to all sorts of problems down the road, from conflict within the workplace to poor job performance.
Before hiring anyone, be sure to take the time to review their resume and conduct a mock interview. Additionally, be sure to set clear expectations from the outset and have a detailed job description in place.
If you do end up hiring a friend or family member, be sure to treat them the same as any other employee. This means providing feedback, setting clear expectations, and offering opportunities for growth and development. By doing so, you can avoid many of the potential pitfalls associated with this type of hire.
Avoiding Small Business Hiring Mistakes
Small business hiring mistakes can be costly and time-consuming. By taking the time to screen candidates thoroughly and being aware of the most common mistakes, you can avoid many of the pitfalls associated with hiring.
You can also use tools like background checks and references to help ensure you’re making the best possible decisions for your business.
If you think this article has helped you, check out our other blogs!
