In the first two parts of this series, we examined important issues to consider when you approach the hiring process. Hiring new employees is a crucial step in your small business management, because a “bad hire” can be costly, and serve as an impediment for productivity. Here are some final hiring tips to keep in mind as you interview candidates and search for the perfect employee to fill your next open position: Search for a complimentary personality. You can have the best and the brightest of employees, but if they don’t get along, you’re looking at discord and disruption. Make sure that you hire someone who can compliment the rapport in your office, and not only can work as a team member, but can enhance the chemistry of your current staff. Make it official. One of the biggest mistakes that small businesses make is not giving an official letter that outlines the job offer to the candidate. This can get you in trouble later on. Make sure you write up a job offer that includes all the crucial details, like the starting date, salary, bonus structure, benefits and vacation details. This leaves no room for misunderstandings or misinterpretations on behalf of the candidate or parties involved. Focus on your objective. When you’re busy running your business, sometimes you might find yourself “winging it,“ when it comes to managing such matters as hiring new employees. Take the time to prepare for the interview, for questions that might arise during the process, and all the position requirements in detail. Make sure you consult other staff members and narrow down exactly the type of candidate you need well before the first interview takes place. Keep an open mind. Although you need to be clear on your own expectations, don’t allow yourself to look for a miracle worker in your new employee. Be realistic about the qualities you really need, versus what your perfect wish list would be. Make sure that you find someone who can do the core job requirements well, instead of looking for a jack-of-all-trades person that can do lots of things moderately well. Narrow down your attention to the main things you need in your new employee. There are hundreds of resources to help you be a good interviewer and find positive results. Do your research, consult colleagues in your industry, or find samples of interview questions and procedures in your local library or on the Internet. If done properly, interviewing can be an exciting and rewarding experience. | 
