Five Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring Employees...

Having run both a small and medium size business, I can tell you that there is no “one size fits all” operational plan. The way you run your business should be the same whether you have 5 or 50 employees. The truth is in most cases the way you operate your business when you have 5 employees is totally different then how you would operate if you had 50 employees. What’s the difference?

When I hired my first employees my standards where not as high as they should have been. I didn’t have the right interviewing skills, I didn’t know the right questions to ask and I most definitely did not do a back ground check. Why? Well basically because I didn’t know better! I hired people based on what they told me their abilities were. They always gave me the ‘mumbo jumbo’ about how they wanted to help my company succeed and help it grow. The sad part is that in most cases I believed them! It wasn’t until we had more than 10 employees did I realize all of the hiring mistakes that were made. Here are some mistakes I made that I hope you will take note of and avoid!

Five Mistakes You Should Avoid When Hiring Employees

Mistake # 1: Thinking That Your Employees Are Your Friends.
I can honestly say I learned this the hard way. Boy did I learn the hard way! My husband and I started our business in our mid twenties. We went into an industry where the majority of people in our field where in their late 30’s to mid 50’s. Because of this, most of our employees were our age or a little older. We felt like they were our “friends” when in reality to them we were just “the boss”. This caused a lot of problem when we had to reprimand or terminate them.

Mistake # 2: Not Verifying The Information That Has Been Provided To You.
My husband and I use pretty trusting people that was until we became business owners. We took everyone for their word and did not feel the need to check people out. HUGE MISTAKE! We found out early on that people will lie on their resume in a heartbeat. Why? Because most employers like us never check it out! I call it the 50/50 rule. For every 10 resumes you receive 5 will contain truthful and accurate information. The other 5 will be a mixture that contains half truth, half fiction and just flat out lies.

Mistake # 3: Not Doing A Complete Background Check.
When you hire someone to help you operate your business you’re basically telling your clients that this individual has your stamp of approval, is as good as you and will assistance them in your absence. Your livelihood is in their hands but whose hands are they really in? As I mentioned above half of people who apply for a job with you will only provide you with a partially truthful resume. Don’t you think you want to find out what they’re hiding? Better to find out not then to have to pay for it later!

Mistake # 4: Not Having Your Applicants Prove They Are Qualified For The Job.
Anyone can say they are capable of doing something but how do you know if they really can? The answer is you bring them in for a day and find out! Give them a task to complete that will be similar in nature to what they are being hired for and observe them. Now of course they may not perfect; remember they are new but they also should not be clueless; remember they do have experience - or so they say! This will give you an indication of what you will get once you hire them. Someone who has a learning curve because you do things differently then what they are used to; that’s one thing. Someone who looks like a deer in the headlights when you provide them with the task; well that’s a strong indicator that they are part of the 50% you don’t want to hire!

Mistake # 5: Not Being Up Front About Your Rules And Expectations.
I have heard so many people who’ve had their employees do things that they would consider ridiculous. I’ve heard “anyone with common sense would have known better!” Well what’s common sense to you may not be to the next person. If you do not tell your employees what your expectations are then you are basically leaving it up to them to make a judgment call. Major mistake! What makes sense to you may not make sense to them and vice versa. Leave no room for error! Tell them up front what you expect, put the rules in writing, and have them sign and review a copy for their file and yours. It also wouldn’t hurt to review this information periodically with everyone during staff meetings just to make sure everyone remains on the same page!

Implementing a few preventive measures up front will help you to avoid the mistakes, misunderstandings and hard feelings that come up when you have to fire, enforce or make changes. Part of being a “Successful Entrepreneur” is being a “Smart Entrepreneur”!

I look forward to helping you strive to reach your goals and dreams. It is my hope that the information I've provided will help you to get there!

To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!

Pam Lawhorne

Pam Lawhorne is a serial entrepreneur, small business expert and creative marketing consultant, who provides advice, guidance, and encouragement to aspiring CEO's around the nation in her popular seminars and publications. She is the Chief Empowerment Officer of Empower U, Incorporated, a training and consulting firm that specializes in interactive workshops, seminars and coaching programs.

Ms. Lawhorne is the author of “From Minimum Wage To Getting Paid! - How To Become A Successful Entrepreneur With No Money, Education Or Experience!" and she is also a syndicated columnist who writes articles on empowerment, entrepreneurship, personal development, creative marketing and real estate investing. Her articles appear nationally in newspapers, magazines, and on numerous business websites and on-line publications. For additional information please visit her website: www.PamLawhorne.com.

The above article is copyright 2003-2008 by Pam Lawhorne. Permission to repost is freely granted so long as the text is not altered in any way, and the copyright and links are included.