Avoid These Common Hiring Mistakes
Attracting top talent is essential, especially in today's competitive job market. To stand out, you must demonstrate value and avoid common recruitment pitfalls that could drive potential candidates away.
But how do we do that? What are some things we should be keeping in mind when we are in the midst of the busy hiring process?
Let’s talk about it!
Here's our list of 6 hiring mistakes to avoid:
1. Lack of Communication During the Recruitment Process
Clear and respectful communication is crucial during the hiring process, as candidates often feel frustrated when they don’t hear back from recruiters or hiring managers. It is important to inform all candidates about their application status, even if they are not shortlisted. Investing in technology to automate this process can help maintain consistent communication and show candidates that you value their interest in your company.
And remember, communication is important across a workplace whether it’s during recruitment or on the job; team culture starts with you as a manager or an employer! It’s up to you to make the workplace a good and healthy one. Why is it important? You can read a bit more about it at WorkHuman, they’ve got a great article on workplace culture.
2. Deceptive or Incomplete Job Advertisements
Honesty in job ads is vital, as misleading candidates by claiming inclusivity or flexibility when it’s not true can waste time and resources. Being transparent about the role and including important details, such as salary ranges, is essential and has recently become a requirement in Canada, as of November 1st, 2023. Remember! Transparency builds trust and increases the number of interested applications you will receive.
3. Limited Diversity in Hiring
Hiring a diverse workforce enriches your team culture and broadens perspectives. It is important to be open to candidates of different ages, cultures, neurodiverse individuals, and those seeking part-time work. Inclusivity is not only ethical but also makes good business sense, leading to a more dynamic and innovative team, since it “…provides different perspectives for problem solving and innovation” (Indeed Editorial Team, August 2023).
4. Lengthy Recruitment Processes
A long and cumbersome recruitment process can result in losing candidates to faster-moving companies. Streamlining your hiring process ensures efficiency and keeps top talent engaged!
Now, that doesn’t mean to rush into hiring people you may not have necessarily wanted to, or ones that don’t fit the role that you are looking to fill, but having a solid procedure in place is going to be immensely helpful for both you, and your candidates.
5. Concealing Current Challenges
During interviews, it’s okay to discuss your company’s challenges openly. Candidates appreciate honesty and are more likely to stay with a company that is transparent about its hurdles and the steps being taken to address them. This approach fosters trust and long-term commitment.
We know it sounds scary to “admit” to a candidate what some of the difficulties currently are, but if you leave it as a surprise for after they are onboarding and starting their new role, you are far less likely to keep them. Why? This can make them feel lied to, overwhelmed, or intimidated by the problems at hand and less confident in themselves to be able to do the work that you are asking of them.
6. Conducting Interrogative Interviews
While it’s important to ask relevant questions, interviews should be conversational and engaging, so don’t hesitate to inject some personality into the discussion! For example, icebreaker questions can help reveal a candidate’s personality and ensure a good cultural and behavioural fit for your workplace. Additionally, candidates are typically interested in learning about their potential managers and are considering whether you would be a good personality fit for them. So, be prepared to answer questions from your candidates, share insights into your management style and team culture, and showcase your openness and willingness to learn.
Still feeling a bit unsure? Monster Jobs has an “Interview Tips for the Interviewer” article that outlines 9 different ways to enhance your interviews!
By avoiding these common “oops-es”, you can create a more appealing and efficient recruitment process, helping you attract and retain top talent and ultimately strengthening your organization! Best of luck to you!
Here are the resources as mentioned above!
WorkHuman has an article on enhancing your workplace culture, and why it’s important to the overall health and productivity of your team.
The BC Government has all information about the wages on job postings update from November 2023. We recommend reading through their guide for when you are writing your job ads for BC!
Indeed is a well-known job seekers’ and employers site that offers job postings from around the world. Their article highlights why diversity in the workplace is important, and offers detailed examples throughout.
Monster Jobs has resources for job seekers and employers alike, and is another popular place to land for careers, like Indeed. Their article gives employers their list of 9 different ways to enhance interviews.
