Now most of us know to grow our businesses and get more customers and clients coming through the doors, we might need to think about recruiting more staff. Of course, this can be great news, and a real indicator we’re heading in the right direction.
However just over a month ago now (gosh time has flown), when Mr. Boyd and I finally tired the knot, this was a great reminder of how important it is to have the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
A couple of weeks before getting married, we were just finishing off final preparations and a friend, who was due to run the bar, unexpectedly was no longer able to help. We knew this was always a possibility but hadn’t put any contingency plans in place, in case this situation happened. So in desperation I resorted to trusty Facebook to see who was available to step into the breach at the last minute.
Now as luck would have it a friend put me in touch with a fantastic lady and her husband (who used to run a local pub and manage weddings, phew!) and they really did come to our rescue. They were fantastic and made our day. Everything ran smoothly and they took the stress and worry out of our special day. So your probably thinking what has all this got to do with recruitment? Well what it reminded me of is the importance of having quality people in your business and that they really are the key to whether your business succeeds or fails.
Now I know my situation was all a bit last minute and I am certainly not saying you should do the same, but taking the step to take on a member of staff to help you manage your business can really reaps its rewards and make a huge difference to your ability to drive your business forward.
However I also know many business owners are often wary of recruiting staff and taking that step. But whether you’re completely new to the world of recruiting staff, or you’ve got masses of experience, there are some costly mistakes I want to help you avoid. Don’t worry through, even the most seasoned recruiters aren’t immune to wasting cash when it comes to appointing new team members at times!!
I know your budget is extremely important, and I want to help you ensure you get the most out of it. So here I share my thoughts on the 3 main reasons why you could be spending too much money on recruitment and what you can do to avoid it!
You’re looking for talent in all the wrong places
When we think about advertising vacancies, there are a few options that often seem like no-brainers. Perhaps you’ve got the local newspaper on your list, or even the nearby JobCentre. These can be great places to start in certain circumstances, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re right for your business.
Imagine for a second that you’re looking for a highly experienced individual from a very specific background. What publications will this person typically read? Which radio and podcast shows will they listen to? Which events will always have a place on their agenda? Once you establish where they are, you can make steps towards putting your vacancies in front of them in a compelling way. This is the only strategy that will ensure the best return on your investment.
Your systems are outdated
You’re fully aware that we’re living in a thoroughly modern age, and you have a wealth of gigantic opportunities right at your fingertips. Your marketing department is no doubt tapping into this, so if your HR and recruitment practices aren’t keeping up, then you need to ask yourself why.
Perhaps at the moment, you ask your candidates to travel to your office at each stage of the recruitment process. It’s time consuming for everyone involved, and there’s often a hefty bill that needs to be covered. But is it really necessary? You could hold initial interviews via webcam, and save yourself a whole load of time and hassle. Often, candidates will appreciate this approach. Their time is precious, and it’s important to recognise that.
You’re recruiting the wrong people
Often, when business leaders think about how to improve their recruitment processes, they neglect to think about the bigger picture. Maybe your interviews have gone swimmingly and you have your new recruit ready to start on Monday, but have you stopped to think about whether they’re truly the best person for the job? If not, then your costs could spiral out of control.
Getting a new starter into the role isn’t the end game here. It’s only the very beginning. Think about whether your employee is likely to stay. Have they been given a realistic view of what the role entails? Do they really have the necessary skills and competencies? Are they honestly a great fit for your business? Answering these questions isn’t easy, but it’s a necessity. And the hardest part of all is that you need to give them some consideration before you’ve even made your choice.
To find the right person for your business, you’re going to have to spend some cash. That’s inevitable, and it can be a very wise investment for the future of your operations. But get it wrong, and it could be something that proves to have far-reaching consequences.
Take your time, plan your approach, and make sure that you’re not trying to manage everything on your own.
That’s where the team @GoldHR can help you to find the best person for the job, in a realistic timeframe, and on budget. Give us a call today for an initial chat about how we can help you with your recruitment needs and find out more about our new Fixed Fee Recruitment Service.