Tips to Hiring and Keeping Top Employees

All of a company’s employees add value and contribute to its success – some in small way, others in large measure. Because sound recruitment and retention strategies provide a competitive edge, hiring should be done carefully, methodically and strategically. Here are ten ways to attract top prospects to your company and retain them once they’re on board.
1.

Recruit Continuously: Aggressive companies are always on the prowl for talent. They have a sense of what skills they need now and in the future, and what type of person will be a good fit. They look even when there are no current openings, because one can never predict when an employee might leave.
2. Know What You Need: Know the skills and personality traits that will make a person successful in a given job, so you can develop job descriptions when you’re hiring. This helps in framing interviews with potential applicants, who in turn learn in advance more about the skills needed for the position.

Initially, a job description facilitates the selection of the right employee. But a good job description also ensures that he or she has a clear understanding of responsibility, authority and expected results, so it also becomes a useful training outline.
3. Interview Many Candidates: Don't hire the first person you like. Commit to meeting a number of people - even though you won't be interested in most of them. If you don't think a person is a good fit for your company, use the interview to dig up information on your competitors or create a business-development opportunity. (Who knows where your company's next alliance partner will come from?)
4. Ask Probing Questions: The only way to find out if candidates will be a good fit for your company is to ask a lot of questions to discover whether:

* they possess a positive attitude.
* they have high energy.
* they are trustworthy and possess good character.
* they feel good about themselves and life.
* they take responsibility without making excuses.
* they desire to keep learning and hunger for growth.
* they are willing to follow the leader and work with the team.
* they have a good track record.
* they are able to flow with the organization and accept change.

5. Check References: Today’s employment laws are extremely strict on how much information can be obtained regarding past employment; previous employers are not supposed to give out any information other than the length of employment. They cannot give out any information with regard to skills, attitude, attendance or anything else in the applicant’s job history while employed there.