If your company is like most, you probably hire when a new position opens up. That’s the way many companies have done things and in a lot of cases, it’s a logical approach. The reactive hiring process has its downsides though and before you know it, you can find your company in a pinch.
For example, in a highly skilled position, it can be a disaster when an employee leaves suddenly. You’ll have to spread out their duties and scramble to hire a new person. That scrambling can lead to hasty decisions, which in turn, tend to be repented at leisure. So, how can you switch from a reactive to a proactive hiring strategy and ensure this problem never happens again?
The first step is to decide where you want your company to be, both now and a few years in the future. Plan out which positions are the most important, and which ones you want to start filling right now. Once you have a clear direction, you’ll be able to move to the next step.
While you’re thinking about the future, look at your current status. Are there any positions that would break your company if they were suddenly left unfilled? Are there any warning signs in certain departments that could signal trouble in the future if they’re not addressed now? Plan out which positions are the most vital to your company and which ones have an important but not as vital role.
Create a plan of the ideal employee that you want for each position. Include the skills, characteristics and traits that are essential for this type of position. Now that you’re not low on time, you can hunt for the perfect hire and not make snap decisions.
One of the biggest mistakes that companies can make is hiring to fix past problems. Whether it was a lack of foresight and you’re finding yourself understaffed, or trying to replace people who are not a good fit, if you keep the mindset of fixing issues, you’ll never get anywhere. Plan out where you want to be and then start taking actionable steps towards reaching that goal.
Need help finding the perfect people to suit your new proactive hiring style? The experts at Solopoint Solutions are here to help!