Entrepreneurs have a habit of biting off more than they can chew. I’m guilty of it, and I’m sure you’ve experienced it, too. The truth is that as much as we want to do everything, we can’t. There are things we simply aren’t good at. This is where strategic hiring comes in.
Hiring So You Can Do What You’re Best At
When you take on tasks you’re ill-suited for, you’re not going to like the results. Even if you put 100% into the task, the result could be disastrous. That is, if you don’t have the talent, experience, or education necessary to take it on. This is why hiring team members who are suited to take on these tasks is vital. They handle the areas of your business you cannot.
I’m a sales guy. I have a background in sales, and that’s how I was raised, so to speak. But not all entrepreneurs are suited for sales. If you don’t know the first thing about sales, you can certainly learn. But if you’re trying to build and grow a successful and profitable business, learning sales can be a burden. You’ll be burned out in no time. So, your best course of action is to hire someone with a proven track record in sales.
Take a Close Look At Your Business
To hire strategically, the first thing you need to do is have a heart-to-heart with yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses as an entrepreneur? Be brutally honest. Your goal is to hire candidates to fill the roles you fall short in. Lying to yourself about any shortcomings will make hiring ideal candidates much harder.
You also need to be aware of your business culture and how your brand is perceived publicly. This also plays a huge role in the hiring process. It’s not easy to attract high-quality candidates, so make sure your company is something they’ll want to be a part of. Can you tell candidates what your brand stands for and what they can expect from your company culture? The ideal candidates will want an answer upfront so they can determine if the position is right for them.
Once you articulate your business culture and brand, identify key business areas that would benefit from a skilled employee. Use this to create a job description for the hiring process. Be as clear and thorough as possible about the position so candidates will know exactly what they’re signing up for. Also be clear about what skills, background, education, etc., you’re looking for in candidates. It’s on you to sell the job to them.
Go Through The Hiring Process Thoughtfully
Strategic hiring requires strategic interviewing. I can’t tell you how many candidates look great on paper, then completely bomb the interview. Continue searching for the person who looks good on paper and soars through the interview. Set your expectations high, be tough, and look for red flags. Also, have candidates interview with more than one person to get different perspectives.
It’s up to you how strict you are with candidates and the hiring process. But you don’t want to waste time with candidates who don’t check most (if not all) of the boxes. Look for people who have the skills you need, ace the interview, and match your culture and team. Every member of the team must work together. If a candidate gives you any hint they might be a wrench in the machine, move on. But if they check your boxes and you feel confident they’ll succeed, make your offer. Your strategic hiring process has paid off, and you can confidently bring them on board.
