When it comes to recruitment, I have made every mistake in the book…and then some!
A fascinating blog was sent to me and I just had to reblog it because it is so important for expanding businesses.
Over the years I have signed psychopaths, nymphomaniacs, super depressives, dishonest reprobates, cheats, scoundrels and lazy-good-for-nothings.
I have also hired some of the most talented people in the universe – people with the intelligence, energy, determination and moral character to make a difference and achieve great things.
The golden rule of recruitment is that there is no golden rule! There is no secret formula for pinpointing the perfect person or for identifying the world’s worst worker.
Nonetheless, I have picked up a few nuggets of recruitment wisdom in my journey through life. I’m afraid, however, my methods are not for the faint of heart or the puritans of the planet so, if you are easily offended, STOP READING NOW.
If, on the other hand, your goal is to cease hiring ordinary people and begin hiring extraordinary people – read on!
In the recruitment game, the starting point is realising that every employee will either increase or decrease the profitability of your business.
It’s a fact of life that every employee will either make you money or cost you money.
So, resolve from now on to recruit only employees who will positively impact your business and, at the same time, start weeding out existing employees who are not contributing.
The ten million dollar question is – how do you identify the winners from the losers, the right people from the wrong people?
It’s not easy but it becomes a lot simpler when you realise there are only three categories of employee:
- People who work against your business.
- People who work for your business.
- People who work with your business.
You obviously don’t want people who work against your business and, fortunately, they are as easy to spot as male peacocks during mating season.
Here are a few of their characteristics:
- They are always happy to lend a listening ear to moaners and groaners.
- They often have a hidden agenda.
- They are lazy but they are good at making themselves look busy.
- They sabotage success.
- They undermine successful colleagues by gossiping behind their backs.
- They tend to run in packs with others just like them.
These people are the devil in disguise. They are a cost, not an asset. Don’t hire them and, if you’ve already got them, get rid of them because a leopard can’t change its spots!
Let’s now move onto the second category – employees who work for your business.
Surely these people are OK?
They might be if you are prepared to settle for ordinary people rather than extraordinary people but if you want to build a great business they are not good enough!
The hallmark of people who work for your business is that they are not truly committed. They do what’s necessary to get by and they usually have some excuse for not going the extra mile such as doctor appointments and childcare demands.
They want to get paid for doing the job but their hearts are not in it. In sports parlance, they are people who are happy to settle for a draw. They are not losers but they are not winners either.
This may sound harsh but in my book – you don’t want them in your company unless you are prepared to settle for second best.
Employees who work with the business are the only people you should be hiring.
Here are the characteristics of the men and women you should be recruiting:
- They are committed.
- They always go the extra mile.
- They feel responsible.
- They are loyal.
- They love to get involved.
- They want to win.
In short, they know that the more they put into life, the more they will get out of life. That’s what makes them extraordinary.
Next time you are recruiting, resolve not to settle for ordinary people, instead be determined to hire only extraordinary people.
To ensure you identify these superstars, here are some questions to ask yourself about each candidate you interview:
- Will you enjoy working with this individual?
- Did they demonstrate an enthusiasm for your company and a passion for the job?
- Will they be dedicated to working shoulder-to-shoulder with you to help you achieve your goals?
- Will they inspire their colleagues?
- Will they be compatible with your team?
- Do they have the character to do what it takes?
- Will they be loyal through thick & thin?
- Will your customers and clients like them?
- Will they be industrious and hard working?
- Will they be ambitious for success?
If you can put a tick in the ten boxes, you may have found yourself the perfect employee.
There is, however, one more question you might want to ask yourself: “Could they be better than me?”
If the answer is yes – hire them immediately!
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