Build a successful team by avoiding these hiring mistakes

March 2, 2023

You can't build a successful team unless you can find the right people. It seems obvious and something every business strives for, but it can often be a daunting task. As an HR manager, you want to make sure you're making the right choice and finding the right fit for your company. Bad hires cost companies a lot of money. Most people know that, but there are some common mistakes that many people still make when hiring new employees. Let’s take a closer look at some of these mistakes and how to avoid them.

Not defining the job properly

One of the most common mistakes employers make is not clearly defining the job they are hiring for. This is often because those HR professionals tasked with posting new positions within the company are pulled in a lot of different directions and end up rushing through the process. But if the job post is vague, confusing, or poorly worded you'll end up alienating top candidates. The top candidates can afford to be picky so they are likely to pass right by a post that is difficult to understand.
A job post that lacks clarity also increases the likelihood of an email inbox flooded with unqualified candidates. You'll end up weeding through people that aren't able to perform the job which is a waste of your time. Make sure you create a detailed job description that outlines the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications necessary for the role. This will help you attract the right candidates and streamline your candidate search.

Rushing the hiring process

Speaking of rushing, another mistake that employers make is hurrying through the hiring process. While it can be tempting to fill a position quickly, especially when someone leaves or is let go suddenly, it's important to take the time to thoroughly evaluate each candidate. Rushing the process can result in a poor hiring decision which, as mentioned earlier, can be costly in the long run. Take the time to review resumes, conduct interviews, and check references to ensure you're hiring the right person for the job.

Not considering cultural fit

When hiring a new employee, it’s not just about their qualifications and experience. Cultural fit is also an important factor to consider. You want to make sure the new employee shares the same values and work ethic as the rest of the team. Ignoring cultural fit can lead to tension and conflict in the workplace. Always take the time to assess the candidate's personality and determine if they will be a good fit for your company culture.

Not looking at the bigger picture

A common aspect of a potential new hire that is often overlooked is a candidate's potential for growth and development. We often tend to focus so much on the skills a person has that we forget to consider the future and how that person will grow with the company. Try to get a sense of their ability to learn and adapt to new situations. Will they take pride in their work and want to see the company reach new successes? Will they want to take on new roles and progress within the company? These are things to try and figure out during the interview process. It's not always easy! But if you ask the right question you can pull that information out of a candidate.

Skipping the background check

Finally, one of the biggest mistakes an employer can make is neglecting to run a background check for employment. Some don't want to spend the money and others don't want to add time to the hiring process but, again, bad hires cost money and cause problems within a workplace. You're better off vetting someone up front than having a new hire create poor or even dangerous working conditions at your company.

The beauty of pre-employment screening services is that they are often customizable. You don't need to throw every search at every employee. You can choose what makes sense for you and a lot of the searches are really fast. With technology where it is you can have national criminal checks, national sex offender registry searches, and even county criminal checks run quickly so as not to delay your hiring process. A reputable background screening company can check references and work histories as well as facilitate drug testing so you feel confident you are bringing on people you can trust and will be an asset to your business.

Hiring new employees can be a challenging task, but by avoiding these common mistakes, you can make the process easier and more successful. Take the time to define the job properly, thoroughly evaluate each candidate, consider cultural fit, focus on potential for growth, and run employee background checks with a professional background screening company. By doing so, you'll increase your chances of finding the right person for the job and building a successful team.