How do you pick the ‘Cream of the Crop’

Written by LiveLink
January 14th 2024

How do you pick the ‘Cream of the Crop’

Selecting a good prospective employee involves assessing various factors to ensure they have the skills, qualifications, and qualities needed for the job and are a good fit for your company.

When we go through the recruitment process, being virtual,  it can be a little more of a challenge.

Here are a few things we consider when taking on a new Linkette:

1. **We create a Compelling Job Description:**

– Crafting a clear and accurate job description that attracts suitable candidates, is key.

– We highlight our company culture and values to attract candidates who align with them.

2. **We define Job Requirements:**

– Concisely outline the skills, qualifications, and experience necessary for the position, virtual working is not for everyone.

– Identify key competencies and attributes that are crucial for success in the role, detail is key with us, and we look for prospective Team members that can demonstrate this.

3. **Use Effective Recruitment Channels:**

– Utilise various platforms and channels to reach a diverse pool of candidates.

– Leverage professional networks, job boards, social media, and referrals.

4. **We review CV’s and Applications:**

– We look over CV’s and cover letters to ensure candidates meet the basic qualifications.

– Look for relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments and a little extra sparkle.

5. **We ask for candidates to complete a Skills Assessment:**

– Implement skills tests or assessments to gauge technical abilities.

– This can include written tests, practical assignments.

6. **We Conduct Interviews:**

– Whilst a lot of companies develop a set of standardised interview questions to assess candidates, we prefer a more informal approach. This is to make our candidate feel relaxed and gain a bit more insight.

– We do however, conduct both behavioural and situational circumstances, to evaluate skills and problem-solving abilities.

7. **We Evaluate Soft Skills:**

– Assess interpersonal skills, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities.

– Consider how well the candidate will fit into the team dynamics.

8. **We Assess Cultural Fit:**

– Consider the candidate’s alignment with the company culture and values.

– Evaluate their interpersonal skills, communication style, and teamwork.

– How flexible are they? As small team we need to flex and move, expect the unexpected.

9. **We Check References:**

– We find it is a good idea to contact previous employers or references to verify the candidate’s work history and performance.

– We ask about their strengths, weaknesses, and overall suitability for the role.

When recruiting, we always remember that a holistic approach, combining technical skills assessment, cultural fit evaluation, and a thorough interview process, will contribute to selecting a candidate who is not only qualified for the role but also a good fit for the team and organisation.