If you’ve ever had an employee walk off the job, or experienced a big increase in demand, you know how stressful hiring under pressure can be. But, as one of Sacramento’s leading staffing firms, Pacific Staffing knows that one way to make the situation a little less painful is to have an effective interviewing process in place – one you can turn to time and again, whether you’re rushed to hire or planning ahead.

So what essentials should your process involve? Here’s a look at four that can help you hire smarter and build a strong team:

Tip #1: Define the Position.

Even if you’re in a rush to hire, it’s critical that you spend some time to define the position by determining the essential skill and background requirements for it, and those that would simply be nice to have. Be as specific as possible when fleshing out the position so you have a strong sense of the tasks and responsibilities this person will handle.

Tip #2: Evaluate Personality.

When it comes to hiring, most mismatches don’t happen because a new hire doesn’t have the right skill set; they happen because the new hire isn’t a fit for the culture. That’s why it’s so important to use behavioral assessments and personality profiles in order to uncover who each candidate truly is.

Think of it this way: most job candidates can come across as charming and friendly during an interview. But the question is, will they continue to act that way once hired? Evaluating personality is the only way to find out.

Tip #3: Know Your Biases. 

Whether consciously, or unconsciously, most hiring managers have biases that can get in the way of conducting an effective interview. For instance, they may pass judgment on a candidate quickly based on appearance and then look for evidence to support their opinion throughout the interview.

To avoid letting biases cloud your judgment, be sure to develop a uniform set of questions you ask all candidates. Taking a consistent approach will enable you to accurately compare candidates.

Tip #4: Be Ready to Sell. 

Many hiring managers approach the interview process as simply a way to evaluate candidates. However, if a candidate is top-notch, they’re likely interviewing with other employers, as well. So this is your chance to not just evaluate them for the opportunity, but to sell them on it, as well. Be ready to explain to the candidate – in detail – why they’d want to work for your company.

Need More Help With Your Hiring Process? 

If you do, give Pacific Staffing a call. As one of Sacramento’s leading staffing firms, we can give you access to the highest caliber candidates – giving you time to focus on other priorities. Contact Pacific Staffing today to learn more.