Make It Easy
Make It Easy
Secrets for Happy, Healthy Employees, Part I of V. Every employer dreams of a business where the employees are happily doing their work. We want that, but do we take the responsibility to make it happen? Often the answer is no. Over the next several columns I will give you five ways to make that dream come true. Nabbing the right
employee for the jobThe first is hire the right person. To do that, pay attention to what you really need.
Have you hired a "this'll do"? You talked to five people, got tired and muttered, "Oh well, this will do." Hiring that way is unfair to you and your employee. It means they won't find a job that makes them happy, and you have another firing on the horizon, which will make YOU unhappy.
Do this: Focus on special skills and attitudes that would make someone succeed in this job. How much will you need to depend on them? How much training are you willing and able to give. What tasks and results do you expect?
Assess potential pay for this position: Review your list and decide the level of expertise expected for each item. How much would you pay for a person producing "seven" results on a scale of 1-10? How much would you pay for a "five"? Don't pay people what they are 'worth'; pay them based on what it is worth to you to get a particular job done.
From your notes, create a standard checklist with the priorities at the top. Using copies of this checklist, note strengths and weakness next to each item as you interview. These notes will be invaluable after you have interviewed 40 or more people.
Not only do you have a system for comparison to a standard; you will make your attorney happier if you hire this way. It is cleaner than "gut instinct" and holds up in court better. You also have a great record in case you expand your business. That person who didn't quite fit today might be just what you are looking for in a year. So, be nice to your interviewees. You don't know when you might need them next.
I have hired the wrong person and I have hired many right ones. I prefer the latter. It is a joy to come to work when you have taken the time and effort to make the right decision. And, it will make the next four hints even easier to put in place.
Beth Terry is president of Pacific Rim Seminars.
This column is excerpted from her upcoming book,
101 Ways to Make Your Life Easier. Send questions
on management, customer service and other issues
to beth@bethterry.com.