Now you have your chance to be on the other side of the desk. You ask the questions, not answer them. How do you learn to assess a candidate, and make a good decision for your company? How do you navigate that most complex, challenging and subjective business issue, finding the right people to do the work?

The hiring process is not as mysterious as it may seem. There are five basic stages:

• evaluate the resumes,
• interview the candidates
• check references
• make the offer
• work the first 90 days of employment.

Use these stages as a guideline, mix a few basic principles with some key pointers, and you have a tool kit for effective hiring.

To begin, keep in mind that hiring is a selling process, first and foremost, on both sides. The candidate is reasonably expected to enhance their skillset and experience and the interviewer is reasonably expected to represent the company and its potential in the best possible light.

Those are the common rules of the engagement. Keep that focus both when you review resumes, as well as when you speak with candidates.

Add the principles of common sense, truthfulness and respect to your toolkit.

Nothing will guide you better than your own common sense. The effective evaluation of people is grounded in good common sense. No matter what your level of experience in the workplace, your own common sense will guide you very well.

Always be truthful. Know the strengths and weaknesses of the company, the manager, the work, the environment and yourself. Reflect the truth in the evaluation and in the interview. Strive to know the truth about the candidate. You always get the best results from the truth.

Be respectful and courteous. Power is not based in dominance, it is based in respect and courtesy.

With the right tools you can move to the next stage of the process with confidence and effectiveness.

Copyright © 1998, 1999 by D.E. Summerville. All rights reserved.

The advice and suggestions in the Women in Business column are solely those of the author. DC Web Women assumes no responsibility for its content.

Back to Top