Take the Headache Out of Hiring

Colleen Billings, PHRMatchmaker, “Purple Squirrel” Hunter,

Candidate Whisperer

We Need to Hire Someone…

MAKE A PLAN

#1 Prescription for Hiring Headache…

• Make A Plan– Sell Your Brand– Define the Role– Get the Word Out– Interview Process– Make a Winning Offer– Onboarding

• Sell Your Employer Brand!–What’s great about your store?

people?culture?product?place in the

community?

• Define the Role– Job Description/Core Responsibilities– Hours of work, salary, who it reports to– How is success measured?– Personality, work style that fits role and

culture

• Get the Word Out…aka Marketing–Write a compelling ad/job posting• What’s so great about your store?• Write it with your perfect candidate in mind• WIIFM• Call to Action!

• Places to Post– Craigslist (cheap or free)– Facebook/Twitter– LinkedIn-Both personal and Company Page– Job Boards (~$300/posting)

• Local is best• CareerBuilder for professional positions

• Employee Referrals are POWERFUL!–#1 BEST Source • Quality, fit, longevity, speed to hire

– Offer a small bonus or prize– Employee has a stake in success of new

hire

• Create an Interview Process– Phone Screen for “Deal Killers”• 4-6 things the candidate MUST have

– Hours of work, salary requirements, availability to start

– Specific previous experience; customer service philosophy or sales attainment, for example

– Phone presence; professionalism

• In Person Interview– Prepare Written Questions

• 10-15 open-ended based on job description• What are the expected/acceptable answers?

– Behavioral• “Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult

customer.”

– Technical Test• OK, if it is job-related and given to everyone!

• Interview Etiquette– Create a welcoming environment– Have 2 people present, if possible– Ask same questions of all candidates– Give a brief tour, if interview goes well• Opportunity to sell the Employer Brand

• Check References– Skip “personal” references– Tell the reference about your

job/environment. Ask if the candidate would be successful.

– Check for reliability; teamwork–What is he/she complimented for?–What does he/she need to work on?

• Make A Winning Offer– Verbally via phone; followed by written

• Email is fine

– Include start date, hours of work, rate of pay, and any other benefits you want to highlight

– Send ahead basic paperwork• W4; I-9; New Hire information form

• Onboarding Plan–Written plan for 1st day; 1st week; 1st month– Enlist team to help with training/mentor– Set expectations

• Job function and cultural

–WIKI; training manual• Make them feel self sufficient quickly

A GOOD PLAN=A GREAT HIRE

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” ― Abraham Lincoln

Colleen Billings, PHRBillings Piano Gallery

lovemyhrlife@gmail.comwww.facebook.com/lovemyHRlifewww.linkedin.com/colleenbillingsOn Twitter @lovemyHRlife