Daily Mirror - 18th June 2014
Small businesses are eligible for a cut of up to £2,000 in their National insurance contribution when they recruit new workers - so it's no wonder that the latest employment reports show hiring is rising at such firms.
But they must beware, as a bad recruitment decision can cost more than the £2,000 saved.
Shaun Thomson, Chief Executive of Sandler Training in the UK, says a bad hire can be a huge financial drain. "Money is wasted in recruitment costs, training and pay - it's estimated a bad hire can exceed 150% of the individual's salary alone, which is nearly £40,000 for the average UK salary"
Here are Shaun's tips on avoiding problem recruitment:
Never Hire When You Are Desperate
Bad decisions are far more likely to be made when there's a pressing requirement. to counter this you should never stop interviewing - create a bank of great applicants. Sometimes it's even worth making a role if you find someone who could contribute to your wider success.
Take Your Time
It's vital you follow a structured recruitment process, designed to get applicants to show their strengths and successes. A lot of people say they can do the job, but you need to identify those who 'can' and 'will' do the job well. These people may interview the same, but psychometric tests can help you distinguish between them.
Hire on attitude over skills
Long-term valuable employees are this who fit well with the culture of the team. Skills can be taught; it's much harder to change someone's personality.
Reward best workers
Employees rarely leave for money - they leave because they don't feel valued. It's frustrating for a firm to have to replace someone who added value with another who isn't right. Don't take staff for granted - ensure you nurture and develop them.
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