As we approach the end of this calendar year, it’s hard to comprehend that we spent most of the last two years coping with COVID. This pandemic has impacted our personal lives in ways that are so broad; it’s almost hard to wrap your head around them. But the pandemic has also had a profound impact on small businesses.
While the government has stepped in with the PPP loan program, small businesses have faced a problem that government agencies haven’t been able to solve as of yet. A shortage of willing and qualified candidates.
I recently heard a conversation among small business owners discussing the slow increase in job candidates now that unemployment benefits have decreased or ended for some Americans. It’s great to know that there might soon be more people in the workforce to fill critical front-line jobs, but some are concerned about hiring the right people amid a sea of new candidates.
For the sake of transparency, this is something I have struggled with in the past. My goal is always to hire slow and fire fast. Like you, I want to take my time to make the right hiring decisions. That’s what we all want, but not something we have all mastered.
I’ve compiled a shortlist of things I think are critical to establishing successful hiring practices, so you can hire well no matter what is happening in the world around us.
Good news travels fast, but unfortunately, so does bad news. If your business has developed a reputation for being a difficult place to work, you may have difficulty filling your open positions. The environment in your office, salaries, and benefits go into creating a positive and desirable work environment. If you’re not in the position to increase wages, think of creative ways to sweeten the pot for your employees. The more people that love working for you, the more people will want to work for you.
When you’re searching to fill a position within your company, you must go in with a clear job description. A well-written description will weed out unqualified or uninterested candidates. Take the time to clarify the type of person you’re trying to hire (as well as who you want to avoid). It will help you make the right choices for your business.
Are you asking the right questions? Don’t get caught up asking all of the typical interview questions. Work with your team to develop questions that will help you determine whether each candidate is the right choice for your team. Include people in the interview process who will work closely with the new employee. The better your interview skills, the more likely you are to weed out the wrong people.
The best way to determine how an employee will perform in your environment is to determine how they performed in past jobs. Check each candidate’s references carefully.
By now, you know that preparation is essential to running a successful small business, and it’s also vital when hiring the best team. If you have hired someone who isn’t the right fit for your team, it’s better to fire them quickly than to waste your resources holding on to them. I believe small business owners are the heart and soul of our community, so my team works hard to support you. As the employment market continues to fluctuate, Surety Bank is here for your small business banking needs. Call our office anytime to learn more.
