Tips for effective recruitment

By KMC Human Resources

24 Feb 2015

By all accounts, this year is set to be a busy one for companies taking on new employees. A recent article in Lancashire Business View reported that 86% of Lancashire businesses were planning to create new jobs in 2015 – a big increase on last year’s 68%.

By Karen Credie, KMCHR.

Furthermore, a study by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) found that more than a third (37%) of British workers are planning to leave their current job this year.

Getting recruitment right is notoriously tricky; failing to find the correct fit between employee and employer can cost businesses a lot of money – especially when investment in training or recruitment company services have been made.

Here are some top tips on getting recruitment right in the first place, saving you time, effort and investment.

Review your application form

If you use a standardised application form, make sure you review it; checking it is relevant for each new job; depending on the role in question, it may need adapting. Always ensure that an application form avoids questions that could be construed as discriminatory eg. questions about age or medical history.

Get the job advert right

Crafting a job advert to attract and persuade people to want to come and work for your company is no easy task. A good job advert needs to communicate your essential requirements, the benefits of working for you and provide a clear way to apply. Avoid vague job descriptions; you should be clear about the role and the activities that will form the job and include a person specification so the applicant knows whether the role is suitable for them. Remember that any job advert you put out there is reflective of your company, so make sure it shows you in a good light. Job advertisements are a form of advertising, so use the space to sell your company to attract the best possible candidates.

Don’t be afraid to put skills to the test

Depending on the type of role you are recruiting for, it may be appropriate to include some sort of assessment as part of the interview process. This would unlikely be viable at the first stage of interview, but if there is a short-list of 2 or 3 candidates, this process can really help you to make the right decision. Don’t presume a test is just for manual jobs – appropriate tests for office-based jobs can be very helpful too to test typing speed, writing ability etc.

Look beyond the obvious applicants

Remember that the best candidates for your job are often not those that respond to a job advert but those that are in employment with another company. Sometimes, you need to cast your net a bit wider to attract these candidates or even make a direct approach. In some circumstances and especially for more senior roles, employing the services of a head hunter or recruiter can pay dividends.

Get the paper work in place

Once you have selected an applicant for the role, make the offer in writing, subject to the signing and return of the contract of employment and receipt of satisfactory references. Always follow up references as soon as an offer is made. You should also obtain two forms of identification from the successful candidate. If they require a permit to work in the UK, ensure that you obtain the correct written documentation to avoid criminal liability and a fine of up to £20,000 per illegal worker. For further advice on recruiting staff, to talk to KMC HR about employing our services to help interview candidates or provide training for interviewers, please contact us.

Latest news

1

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan Blackburn Aerial

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan

28 Mar 2024

2

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart article placeholder listing image

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart

28 Mar 2024

3

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

28 Mar 2024

4

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue THE PIKES BLOG BANNER.jpg.jpg

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue

28 Mar 2024

5

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup The Accrington Stanley Under 18s team which are currently in Dallas.jpg.jpg

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup

28 Mar 2024

Hwc 2024 Email Signature 980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
Health and Wellbeing Conference 2024
Hwc 2024 Social Media 1200px 1
Networking
23 Apr 2024

Health and Wellbeing Conference 2024

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley , BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour
EVENT LISTING SIZING Endeavour.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour

Oak Royal, Bury Lane, Chorley, PR6 8SW

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista
EVENT LISTING SIZING Vista.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus
EVENT LISTING SIZING Zeus.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus

The Mill House, Corn Mill Yard, Accrington, BB5 5HX

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond
EVENT LISTING BNI Diamond.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond

The Marriot Hotel, Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JB

07:15 - 09:00

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
EVENT LISTING Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv115 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin