Take the Headache Out of Hiring Colleen Billings, PHR Matchmaker, “Purple Squirrel” Hunter, Candidate Whisperer

We Need to Hire Someone…

MAKE A PLAN #1 Prescription for Hiring Headache…

Make A Plan –Sell Your Brand –Define the Role –Get the Word Out –Interview Process –Make a Winning Offer –Onboarding

Sell Your Employer Brand! –What’s great about your store? people? culture? product? place in the community?

Define the Role –Job Description/Core Responsibilities –Hours of work, salary, who it reports to –How is success measured? –Personality, work style that fits role and culture

Get the Word Out…aka Marketing –Write a compelling ad/job posting What’s so great about your store? Write it with your perfect candidate in mind WIIFM Call to Action!

Places to Post –Craigslist (cheap or free) –Facebook/Twitter –LinkedIn-Both personal and Company Page –Job Boards (~$300/posting) Local is best CareerBuilder for professional positions

Employee Referrals are POWERFUL! –#1 BEST Source Quality, fit, longevity, speed to hire –Offer a small bonus or prize –Employee has a stake in success of new hire

Create an Interview Process –Phone Screen for “Deal Killers” 4-6 things the candidate MUST have –Hours of work, salary requirements, availability to start –Specific previous experience; customer service philosophy or sales attainment, for example –Phone presence; professionalism

In Person Interview –Prepare Written Questions open-ended based on job description What are the expected/acceptable answers? –Behavioral “Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult customer.” –Technical Test OK, if it is job-related and given to everyone!

Interview Etiquette –Create a welcoming environment –Have 2 people present, if possible –Ask same questions of all candidates –Give a brief tour, if interview goes well Opportunity to sell the Employer Brand

Check References –Skip “personal” references –Tell the reference about your job/environment. Ask if the candidate would be successful. –Check for reliability; teamwork –What is he/she complimented for? –What does he/she need to work on?

Make A Winning Offer –Verbally via phone; followed by written is fine –Include start date, hours of work, rate of pay, and any other benefits you want to highlight –Send ahead basic paperwork W4; I-9; New Hire information form

Onboarding Plan –Written plan for 1 st day; 1 st week; 1 st month –Enlist team to help with training/mentor –Set expectations Job function and cultural –WIKI; training manual Make them feel self sufficient quickly

A GOOD PLAN=A GREAT HIRE “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” ― Abraham Lincoln

Colleen Billings, PHR Billings Piano Gallery On