Employing people is always a tricky business. It's so hard to know where to post ads, what degree of formality to have with interviewees - and then there's crunch time: picking who gets the role.
But what happens when the people you want to hire to replace are family members?
One UK Business Forums member had just that problem last month, when they asked the community for help on finding the right people, after the business outgrew its family-only staff.
Some very useful suggestions poured in, from placing a local ad to find to debating the merits of taking on an apprentice; but we asked recruitment specialists Robert Half what their advice would be in this situation.
Below Phil Sheridan, senior managing director at Robert Half UK answers our questions.
The timings on this are important as you don't want to hire a new employee too early when you can't support their integration into the business, but also don't delay as you could potentially hamper your potential growth without the right resources. The type of work or projects that you are looking to implement could help your potential to take on new customers or clients, or expand your product and service offerings.
If you hire new employees, there is greater scope to target new business, deliver better service for your clients and ensure the orders keep coming in. You should be constantly reviewing your employees, and where possible, hire proactively to meet increased needs.
Remember, you don't always have to hire new employees on a permanent basis. The temporary job market can be a highly valuable resource as it provides the ability to bring in skilled interim professionals with a level of flexibility.
Essentially, you can recruit people as and when you need them. During the holiday season, for example, you may wish to bring in new employees to support an increase in sales or customer services requirements.
There are several ways to identify if a candidate has the right fit for your company during the interview process.
Answers to specific questions and body language can reveal a lot about a candidate during an interview. For example:
This flexibility and variety of work can be attractive to candidates so highlighting this desired level of flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit can help you to find the best new hire.
But what happens when the people you want to hire to replace are family members?
One UK Business Forums member had just that problem last month, when they asked the community for help on finding the right people, after the business outgrew its family-only staff.
Some very useful suggestions poured in, from placing a local ad to find to debating the merits of taking on an apprentice; but we asked recruitment specialists Robert Half what their advice would be in this situation.
Below Phil Sheridan, senior managing director at Robert Half UK answers our questions.
1. Where do you start looking to find the right employees?
As a small business owner, it's your decision when, and how, to recruit. This decision should come down to the type of work or projects that are required to help your business flourish.The timings on this are important as you don't want to hire a new employee too early when you can't support their integration into the business, but also don't delay as you could potentially hamper your potential growth without the right resources. The type of work or projects that you are looking to implement could help your potential to take on new customers or clients, or expand your product and service offerings.
If you hire new employees, there is greater scope to target new business, deliver better service for your clients and ensure the orders keep coming in. You should be constantly reviewing your employees, and where possible, hire proactively to meet increased needs.
Remember, you don't always have to hire new employees on a permanent basis. The temporary job market can be a highly valuable resource as it provides the ability to bring in skilled interim professionals with a level of flexibility.
Essentially, you can recruit people as and when you need them. During the holiday season, for example, you may wish to bring in new employees to support an increase in sales or customer services requirements.
2. Culturally, what kind of a 'fit' do you need to look for? Are there any signs to show interviewees would work well?
Hiring for the right cultural fit starts by assessing your own company culture first and knowing what type of employee you believe will fit in - before you start interviewing. The UK is facing a skills shortage and businesses owners need have clear reasons for why skilled candidates should work for them over their competition.There are several ways to identify if a candidate has the right fit for your company during the interview process.
Answers to specific questions and body language can reveal a lot about a candidate during an interview. For example:
- Questions: Asking: 'what characteristics are exhibited by the best boss you ever had?' or 'tell me about the management style that allows you to do your best work' provides insight on the type of culture in which the candidate is most successful
- Body language: Physical reactions to certain questions also can indicate where a candidate's skills are and the type of work they value. Look for excitement or what makes the candidate 'light up' and become animated when describing their past work
- Stories: Asking a candidate to share stories and accomplishments related to projects outside of paid work helps identify the candidate's passions and interests. These stories can convey a lot about a candidate without risking questions that may seem too personal
3. What skills are essential to working in a small business and how can you identify these in candidates?
When working on projects or helping customers can sometimes be an 'all-hands-on-deck' approach within small companies, so finding a new hire that is willing to take initiative on tasks both big and small can be useful.This flexibility and variety of work can be attractive to candidates so highlighting this desired level of flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit can help you to find the best new hire.
