If you’ve ever hired the wrong person, you understand the headache that comes with it. Avoid the high cost of replacing staff by hiring right the first time. Here are five tips to help bring on your next employee:

1) Make sure the candidate displays an understanding of your company’s goals and brand.

Why It’s Important: When a candidate demonstrates an understanding of your organization, you have a better chance of bringing in a person who is anxious to help reach your company’s goals and positively represent your brand.

What To Look For: During the interview, see if the candidate researched your company. He or she should have an idea of how your industry functions, who your competitors are and how their role supports the company.

2) Seek out versatile candidates.

Why It’s Important: A “that’s not my job” mentality won’t cut it in today’s economy. Employees who can serve numerous departments comprehend how the company works as a whole. They tend to be strong problem solvers and can help when looking for creative and innovative solutions to build a more effective organization.

What To Look For: Based on the candidate’s resume and interview, is it clear that the applicant can handle multiple functions for the organization? Is he or she the type to jump in and help get the job done?

3) Look for candidates who would fit in with your corporate culture.

Why It’s Important: Being competent at your job isn’t good enough. Having strong work skills is great, but understanding how to apply those skills specifically for the company is even better.  An organization with high employee morale produces a more efficient and effective work environment.

What To Look For: Ask questions that will help you better understand if this candidate would fit in with your team and environment. Putting qualifications aside, how do you feel about the applicant’s personality? Would he or she work well with key players and management?

4) Conduct background checks and skills assessments on your candidate.

Why It’s Important: You should know who you’re hiring. It’s easy to exaggerate or falsify a resume, so it’s helpful to run some checks on your potential employee. Make sure your potential new hire actually has the skill sets he or she claims.

What To Look For: Are there any discrepancies between the applicant’s resume and results from the background check? Has the applicant performed well on the skills assessments relevant to his or her previous work experience?

5) Use a Temp-to-hire arrangement.

Why It’s Important: Sometimes a person seems perfect for the job at first, but then doesn’t work out like you imagined. By using this “try before you buy” option, you allow a candidate to work as an employee of a staffing agency for a period of time before converting to your payroll. This allows you to test out the skills and personality of the employee without jumping into a more permanent commitment.

What To Look For: During the “temp” period, is the candidate living up to expectations? Was he or she the perfect fit for the job? If not, you aren’t required to take this candidate on permanently. If so, you’ve just found the right professional for the job and can make him or her an official member of your team.

Contact us to find out more information about our pre-qualified candidates, the Temp-to-hire arrangement or additional staffing solutions.