Hiring for the digital domain can be an exciting and challenging role in this ever evolving space. Staff are no longer satisfied with merely a good salary or title. Instead factors such as company culture and flexibility now hold significant weight when candidates interview for a role.
As an employer searching for new, reliable staff who will contribute for the long term, how can you ensure that the candidate you choose will be the right one? Here are a few of our top tips to promote good decision making throughout the hiring process:
Finding staff
- Consider an ‘always hiring’ approach – Often the likelihood of an ideal candidate looking at the same time as an employer is slim, so this method broadens the pool.
- Engage existing staff as influencers.
The interview process
- Use a panel of interviewers – This helps to gain consensus, cover various traits and ensures a quick outcome
- Make interviews a conversation – After all, candidates are there to interview their potential employers as much as the other way around.
- Be transparent – Discuss what interviewees should expect to avoid disillusionment upon starting. Be up front about the value that can be added by their contribution, rather than by just using a broad job description.
- Don’t overlook behavior based questioning – “Tell me about a time you had conflict in the workplace and how you resolved it?”. This type of questioning is a conversation starter and gives insight into the handling of specific situations.
Choosing a candidate
- Speed – The best talent will not be available for long. Try to secure them within 2 weeks and keep them up to date throughout the process.
- Hire for culture and intelligence – skills can often be learnt.
- Choose a generalist – Someone who will muck in, evolve the role and your exceed expectations.
Retaining staff for the long term
- Be flexible
- Invest in community and culture – Hold events, provide food or offer incentives.
- Consider employing Digital Nomadism – This is an increasing trend that allows staff to work remotely around the world. It is an effective technique for attraction and retention and a great way to access global talent.