Hiring is one of the most crucial things that an entrepreneur has to get right. The right employees are an asset to a new startup. Their passion and commitment have a very positive influence on a company’s growth and culture.

But hiring is not an easy task. To replace an average employee, it costs about 20% of the annual salary. And to replace a C-suite employee, a company has to invest about 213% of the annual salary to get it done. So, you need to do your best to hire the right people the first time. When I started my own business, I relied on the expertise of financial staffing solutions to find the best accountancy professionals for my business. These employees have remained loyal to my business to date.  

Therefore, here are a few useful tips that will help you in attracting and hiring the right candidate for a position.

Don’t Be Desperate

Rushing things is one of the biggest mistakes an entrepreneur can make. Although it can be very tempting to hire the first candidate you interview, it’ll not prove to be a wise decision in the long run. So, take some time and make a hiring plan. Also, attract a couple of skilled candidates for a position, weigh their qualities and skills and then make a decision. 

Be Clear About the Job Description

It is very important to create a job description before interviewing the candidates. Job descriptions help candidates to have a clarity about the kind of tasks to expect. An unexpectedly challenging task can easily frustrate a person and make him/her want to leave the job. So, make sure that you make your goals and job descriptions very clear before hiring a person.

Look for the Perfect Blend

You should make sure that the ideal candidate has the right attitude and professional skills required for the job. However, one important thing neglected by most of the hiring committees is that a candidate should also have the ability to learn. A qualified and experienced person may seem perfect for a position but sometimes a person with less experience may be more creative and talented than an expert.

Be Flexible

Flexibility is a key selling point to hire the best candidates. Flexibility in timings can go a long way to guarantee employee loyalty and enhanced productivity. Offer them early leave in case of an emergency. Allow them to work from home as long as they meet the deadlines.

Always Keep Hiring

Never assume that your job is done after hiring someone for a position. Always keep thinking about hiring as you meet new accomplished people. Because any unforeseen circumstance can make your employee quit. So, always plan for the future so that you don’t have to be desperate while looking for a candidate.

Don’t Settle for Less

If you can’t find your ideal candidate, it is better to wait than settling for less. An unfit candidate is going to cost your business a lot in the long run. Make sure that the person you hire has the right skills and attitude for the job.

Ask Creative Questions

Go beyond the ‘tell me about yourself’ type of questions during the interviews. Ask them about their previous job and the kind of tasks they performed. That’ll give you an idea about their strengths and weaknesses. And it will make it easier for you to select the ideal candidate.

Run a Background Check

Never miss this step! No matter how well the interview went, always run a background check to ensure that the candidate is, in fact, an ideal one for the position. You can opt for something as simple as a Google search. It will reveal everything about a person from red flags to strong points.

Ask for Your Team Members’ Help

Always make sure that you seek your team members’ advice while hiring a candidate. After all, these people will be working with the candidate daily. So, they’ll know better than you if a particular person has the right aptitude for the job. Also, it can save you a lot of time and money if you involve your team members in this process.

Impress Your Selected Candidates

Always keep in mind that you have to be courteous with the selected candidates. They can easily reject a job offer if they don’t find you friendly or considerate. Never overpower them during interviews and encourage them to ask questions to leave a good impression.

Reject Courteously

Always reject the candidates courteously. Send them a formal message or an email informing them about your decision. Never think about ghosting them after interviews because it can reflect very badly on your business.

Corporate success is all about being wise during the hiring process. Most startups fail because they hasten this process and fail to retain valuable employees. So, while hiring for a small business, make sure that you take time and focus on quality more than quantity.