Managers carry a weighty responsibility; they must build a strong team which usually includes hiring. How to hire the right person for a role isn't just a question, but a complex process requiring careful consideration, strategy, and time.
I spoke with Vicky Brown, an accomplished HR consultant, who unpacked the essentials of hiring. She explained that hiring is not a momentary decision but a multi-layered process. It can be stressful, time-consuming, and yet remarkably rewarding for managers who get it right. Here are three of her key tips to help you hire your next employee.
Get Clear On What The Job Requires
Being prepared with an accurate picture of the desired candidate is the first step to successful hiring. It’s not enough to generate a laundry list of tasks or responsibilities. Instead, Vicky recommends managers focus predominantly on the non-negotiable skills and experiences a candidate needs in order to be successful in the role. Understand that the ideal candidate may not tick all the boxes immediately, but they might possess transferable skills that can be nurtured.
She also suggests we highlight personal success traits desirable for the prospective employee. These are the cultural values that reflect how our team works. For example, if our culture is highly autonomous, having someone who is proactive and comfortable working independently is a must. Or, if we rely heavily on written communications, excellent writing skills might be a priority.
A well-crafted job description not only attracts the right candidate but also deters unsuitable ones.
Check The Center Of The Resume
Take the time to thoroughly review resumes, particularly focusing on the middle section for relevant experience and characteristics. Vicky noted that the top of the resume can give you a sense of the individual’s writing style and interests, but cautions us not to pay too much attention to their last job title. Same is true of the bottom of the resume. The degrees and certifications can be indicative but also trigger our biases.
Instead, she reminds us that people have transferable skills and experiences, which is why the center of the resume is the prime area of focus. She encourages us to be open to candidates without traditional backgrounds that could expose you to untapped potential. The goal is to find candidates who "bring something to the party" add value to the collective through their varied experiences and backgrounds.
Use Questions to Dig Deep
Venturing into the interview stage, it's essential to ask specific questions that reveal a candidate’s experience and competencies. The key is to keep asking questions to get below the surface answer. Use the candidate’s resume as a starting point. Ask them to tell you stories and explore what they did, what they learned, what they would have done differently, and more.
This type of approach helps you understand a person’s strengths and how they might contribute to your team. Vicky shared how one client uncovered a candidate’s marketing skills that were not apparent on her resume and ended up offering the individual a totally different job in the organization. By asking questions that dig deep, not only do you gain a better sense of the person, but Vickey posits that it also deters candidates from embellishing.
Just remember to steer clear of irrelevant (what type of tree would you be) or illegal (do you have a car) questions that could mar the interview process.
The marketplace may be competitive, but it doesn't have to be daunting. With meticulous groundwork and a careful hiring process, you can navigate the market adeptly and build a team that is as diverse as it is talented. The secret of how to hire successfully lies in the process. Equip yourself with the right strategies, and you’ll transform the exhausting task of hiring into a rewarding experience for you, your colleagues and the candidates.
Listen to the entire episode 302 to learn more about how to hire your next employee.
Keep up with Vicky Brown
- Check out Leaders Journey Experience for more information here
Free Guide: The Ultimate HR Workflow
Vicky is giving members of Podcast+ a Free Guide: The Ultimate HR Workflow. This is a snappy, step-by-step HR guide to get you through all those tricky tasks: hiring, onboarding, dealing with terminations, and managing leave requests.
To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.
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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.
Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!
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- Check out her website for more here
Guest Bonus: Free Grounding Exercise Worksheet
Download this FREE Grounding Exercise worksheet from Conflict Management Strategies. It walks you through specific steps you can take before a meeting (or whenever you need to feel more grounded!).
Get this guest bonus and many other member benefits when you join The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.
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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.
Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!