Regardless what kind of business you run, it is important to have quality employees to help your company run and grow. However, finding the right employees can be more difficult than you think.

To hire the right person for the job, you will need to look deeply into a candidates’ CV and cover letter and learn more about them as people. Employees need to have the skills and experience required to do the job, but they also need to fit in with the company culture and be willing to take direction and handle challenges as they come.

Focus on the candidate’s potential

Nothing is more important in a new hire than potential. While they might have the right skill set that is essential, do they have the willingness and drive to develop and enhance your company?

Fit the personality to the job

A candidate’s personality is another important factor to consider. Whether you first have verbal contact with a candidate over the phone, or at their interview, it’s good to gauge how their personality will fit into the company, and how it may impact their role (positively or negatively). However, don’t base your decision purely upon how somebody acts in the first instance, nor purely on personality. It is about recognising a balance between their potential in the role being offered (based on skills and professional experience) and how their individualism can aid this. Just because a candidate seems like the right fit for your company, does not mean that person is the right candidate for the job you have open.

Check social media profiles

Like most employers, you probably already make it a point to do a background check (this is including a quick google search on the candidates name) this is just to see what comes up about the person online.

Ask the right questions

You can ask certain questions that will help you to figure out what sort of person the candidate is. You can ask questions such as:

• Who are you going to be in 10 years from today?
• Why do you work?
• What makes you get up in the morning and do what you do?

These questions will show you a lot about a candidate’s drive and ambition, which is important in helping you understand how the person works, and whether or not your potential employee will grow within your business.

Think of your other employees

You have a legal obligation to provide your employees with a safe and healthy work environment. If a potential employee gives any indication that he or she could be aggressive, they are probably not a good fit in your organisation.

Do not judge a book by its cover

It is easy to write off candidates based on their appearance, but it’s more important that you consider how well they can do the job and if they’re a good fit.

During the hiring decision, it is important to think outside the box. You never know – candidates who slightly fall outside the lines of your requirements may still be perfect for your business.