One of the tasks that every small business owner must undertake at one point or another is to hire a new employee. And when you’re busy, understaffed and stressed, it’s easy to make mistakes. We all have been in the situation where the wrong person was hired for the job, which leads to loss of time, money and resources. In this series, we’ll take a look at some hiring tips to help you make the best choices you can when you’re filling your next available position: Do the background check. If you’re a trusting soul, it’s easy to take what’s on the resume as fact and do your narrowing down based solely on what’s printed out in front of you. No matter how stressed for time you are, insist that a candidates’ background is verified. Double check a candidate’s work history, and call two or more of the references listed. It’s truly mind-numbing what some people dare to put down on their resume, not thinking twice about honesty or accuracy. Don’t get starstruck. Just because someone walks into your office touting an Ivy League degree, amazing work experience and unbelievable qualities, doesn’t mean they will be right for your company. Don’t let the level of education or advanced degrees sway you too much for one candidate. There is no substitution for common sense, a professional attitude or experience from the real world. Sometimes a solid track record is worth just as much. Be careful not to overlook other qualified candidates with strong capabilities just because they don’t have as many titles or letters behind their name. Think long-term. You may need to get a new employee in the position as soon as possible, but you also want to remember that this new hire will need immediate, as well as long range, goals to meet. You need to know how you see this person fitting into your company down the road, as well as how you will help guide their career. If you want someone that can eventually move up to management, then keep appropriate characteristics in mind when hiring. If you think long-term, you'll build a better foundation for the future of your company. In the next part of this series, we’ll discuss additional tips to keep in mind as you approach the hiring process for your company. | 
