Are you planning on hiring a new employee for your business? Congratulations if so, and we hope you hire the right person for the job.
With a good employee, your business has the chance to grow and improve, and both you and your employees will benefit from the profits made.
You do need to be mindful, of course. If you hire the wrong person for the post, your business might suffer as a consequence. You might then have to go through the hiring process all over again to find a better fit. You might even have to let the previous hire go, and that won’t be easy for either you or the employee.
So, to ensure you have a better chance at hiring the right person, check out the following warning signs of a potential bad hire, as you will then have reasons not to consider certain applicants when trying to fill your vacant positions.
Warning Sign #1: An application form or resume ill-suited to the post
This is an obvious warning sign as if the person doesn’t have the qualifications or experiences that you require, then you know they aren’t going to be the right fit for the position.
It might be that they haven’t bothered to read through your job description either, so they might have provided you with a generic form or resumé that could fit any other job. In this case, they might have some of the right credentials, but you have reason to think twice if they haven’t made an effort to tailor their application for your vacancy.
Of course, you need to set out a detailed job description at the outset to avoid having too many applications along these lines. You might only be to blame for any generic offerings coming your way otherwise. Check out this example of a job description, for some good ideas. You also need to place your job ads in the right places so the right people find out about your vacancies. By taking these steps, you will then waste less of your time sifting through inappropriate application forms and resumes.
Warning Sign #2: An inability to provide references
It’s important to run background checks on potential new employees, as you don’t want to employ somebody who could potentially cause problems within your business. For most employers, collecting references is enough, although you might run a criminal background check too if you deem it necessary.
But what if the applicant doesn’t have any references to show you? What if they don’t have the contact names of referees? You need to be on your guard, as there might be a good reason for this. If they can’t give you an employer reference (and their application form displays an employment history), then you have to ask them why. Could they have been fired? Were they a terrible employee? And if they can’t provide you with a character reference, again, you have to wonder why. Ring up the employee and ask them the relevant questions to discover more, and if you don’t get a reasonable answer, then you should probably continue your employee search elsewhere.
Warning Sign #3: A terrible first impression at the interview stage
Now, you can’t be too judgemental at the interview stage of the hiring process. Many of your applicants will be nervous, so your first impression of them might not be reflective of their future character or performance.
However…
If the applicant turns up late with no good excuses, then you have to question their timekeeping ability. If they clearly haven’t prepared for the interview, then you have to question their work ethic. If they have little understanding or care for your mission statement and company values, then you have to question their place in your business. And if they quite clearly tell lies when they’re sat in front of you at the interview table, then you do have to question their integrity. So, think on these things during the interview, and aside from the expected blunders made through nervousness, think twice if your overall impression isn’t a positive one.
Warning Sign #4: The potential for job-hopping
Unless you’re hiring somebody for a temporary position, you do want to hire somebody who will stick with you for the long-term. You would only have to go through the hiring process again, otherwise.
So, if there is evidence on the applicant’s resume or application form of job-hopping, or if they announce the fact that your position is only a stopgap at the interview stage, then you should probably continue your search elsewhere. You need somebody with a commitment to your business and its values, as not only will you run the risk of having to hire again down the line, but you might also employ a person who is half-hearted about the responsibilities you will be giving them.
The right employee is out there, but you need to be mindful of these warning signs in your search. Remember them the next time you’re going through the stages of the hiring process.
Good luck!
