Tips for finding the best employees

Turnover -- an often overlooked cost of doing business -- can sometimes run as high as 25% of salary and benefits. One way to reduce this cost is to hire wisely. It's an oft-quoted cliche that employees are a company's most valuable asset. Try generating revenue with unmotivated or unskilled employees, and you'll soon discover that the cliche rings true.
How do you locate the best employees?

• Know what you're looking for. Before you publish a job announcement or talk to potential candidates, consider the type of employee that would fit best with your company. This may involve clarifying the types of skills that are essential to your firm, as well as skills that are specific to the position being filled. For example, if the business prides itself on its written communications, you don't want to hire candidates who struggle with proper grammar or balk at writing reports.
  
• Look in the right places. Once you're clear about the type of employee you're hoping to hire, focus on discovering the best candidates and drawing them to your company. This might involve placing advertisements in local print media, networking with local colleges and technical schools, or asking for recommendations from your current employees. In general, the more specific the skills you hope to find, the wider the net you'll need to cast.
  
• Make the interview count. Potential candidates are often counseled to conduct mock interviews, and wise employers will hone their interviewing skills too. You want to identify candidates who will be eager to contribute their best efforts for your firm. Key to the interview process is asking focused questions and listening with a purpose. A good interviewer will also attempt to identify "red flags" that may indicate potential problems. For example, the candidate may provide vague or rambling answers to simple questions. This may indicate normal interview anxiety, or he or she may be hiding important facts from you -- information that could directly affect your hiring decision.

Finding quality employees is not an exact science. But thoughtful preparation and careful interviewing can pay dividends for years to come.

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