Making a hiring decision is complicated. No matter how much you like someone based on their resume or their interview, there is nothing that can predict how they will actually work out in the company. You can run all the personality assessments that you want, but people don’t always function by the book. So what can you watch for in the new employee’s first week that can give you warning signs or help you determine gaps in their training?
- How do they get along with the team?
There will always be a period of “the new kid” adjustment when someone starts a job with an already established team, but it is important to see how they interact. Are they making an effort to get to know their teammates? Is the team actively including them? Are their personalities blending or is there tension? - Do they get the procedures and the job?
Most likely, the new person you’ve just hired brought the right skills to the table, but they need to be trained in your company’s procedures. That means they may have to unlearn some habits from their past in order to relearn how you prefer to see something completed. Are they able to do that efficiently? Do they seem to get it? - Are they overwhelmed with the work provided?
New employees will often grin and bear it when they’re given an overload of new work. Why? Because they want to make a good impression, and they don’t want their new managers to think they are incapable of handling a large workload. However, learning the ropes takes some time, so watch to see if they are overwhelmed or if they can truly handle more. - Consider temp-to-hire options.
Making a bad hiring decision can happen to anyone, but there are ways to mitigate your risk. If you work with a local staffing service, they can help you by placing a qualified candidate in your company on a temp-to-hire basis. This will give both you and the employee a chance to see if you’re the right fit for one another. And, if not, you can discuss replacement options with the service before things are irreparable.
Are you in the market for superstar candidates to add to your team? Harvard Resource Solutions Staffing Agencies in Troy MI can help, so call today!
