The Art of Making the Right Choice: Recruitment Tips for Both Sides of the Table
Embarking on the recruitment journey, whether as an employer or a candidate, can often feel like navigating a maze.
Whether you’re a job seeker or a hiring manager, you will come to the table with hopes, expectations, and no doubt, a bit of trepidation. How can each side ensure they're making the best choices?
For employers, choosing the right candidate can ensure the business remains operational, profitable and sustainable. For job seekers, the employer you choose can dictate your work-life balance, mental health, and earning potential. Whichever side you sit on, recruitment is a serious decision.
In this article, we look at some of the green and (perhaps more importantly) red flags that employers and candidates can look for to help inform their choice.
For Candidates: Decoding the Workplace
You've polished your CV, practised your interview answers, and now you're sitting across from a potential employer. But how can you tell if this company is the right fit for you?
Recognizing a Toxic Workplace
Recognizing a toxic environment is vital for you as a job seeker. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself in a new role, only to discover it’s an awful work environment. Some red flags include:
Unreasonable Pre-Interview Work: Being asked to complete extensive work before even the first interview can be a sign of disrespect for candidates' time. Such practices might also be discriminatory, favouring younger workers without significant personal commitments.
Ambiguous Interviewers: If interviewers are vague about company values, responsibilities, or schedules, it might indicate a lack of transparency or clarity in the company's operations.
Overemphasis on "Going Above and Beyond": While dedication is essential, a company that constantly expects employees to go "above and beyond" might be setting unrealistic expectations, leading to burnout.
The "Family" Descriptor: Companies that refer to their teams as "family" might blur professional boundaries, expecting employees to prioritize work over personal life.
Concerning Interviewer Behaviour: An interviewer's demeanour can provide insights into the company culture. If they appear anxious, distracted or bad-mouth other employees, it might be indicative of a toxic environment.
Recognising a healthy work environment
Remember, interviews are a two-way street. While the company evaluates your fit, you should also assess if the company aligns with your values and career goals. Below are some green flags you should look out for:
Growth Opportunities: The company emphasizes professional development, training, and advancement.
Diverse and Inclusive Environment: Visible efforts towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as diverse hiring panels or inclusive policies.
Clear Compensation Structure: The company is transparent about the salary range, bonuses, and other compensations.
Consistent Narratives: Multiple employees share similar positive sentiments about the company.
Questions Your Fit: They're not just assessing your skills but also ensuring the company aligns with your career goals and values.
Open to Feedback: They're receptive to any feedback or suggestions you might have about the process.
For Employers: The Fine Art of Hiring
While the right candidate can elevate a team, the wrong one can disrupt harmony. So, how can employers ensure they're making the right choice?
Screening for Potential Toxic Behaviours
Below are some of the key things to keep an eye out for when interviewing your next potential hire:
Inconsistent Work History: While some movement is normal, especially early in one's career, a pattern of short stints might indicate a lack of commitment or recurring issues. If there are long unexplained gaps, this can also be a red flag.
Vague or Evasive Answers: Being evasive or changing the subject when asked about specific experiences or skills, is a big red flag. You need to be confident that the individual you hire has the skills for the job.
Immediate Salary Discussions: A conversation about salary is always expected. But bringing up compensation, benefits, or perks too early in the process without discussing the role in depth, could be a sign that this candidate isn’t right for you.
Unfamiliarity with the Company: A simple google search and browse of a website can give you a lot of information about a company. Not having a basic understanding of a company's products, services, or mission is a huge red flag.
Badmouthing Past Employers: Speaking negatively about previous companies or colleagues can indicate a lack of professionalism.
Identifying Candidates Aligned with Company Culture
A candidate might have an impressive CV, but do they align with your company's culture and values?
To be sure, always ask about their preferred work environment and team dynamics, this will give you an insight into how they like to work. Follow this up with a discussion of your company values and see how they respond. A good culture fit is essential to the success of the candidates. Finally, have a conversation about their long-term goals and how they align with the company's vision.
The hiring process is a critical journey for both employers and job seekers. It's essential to be vigilant about potential red flags. While one or two minor concerns might not be deal-breakers, a combination of several warning signs should prompt further evaluation.
Remember, the goal is to find a mutual fit where both you and the company can thrive. Always trust your instincts and prioritize what matters most to you in your career journey.