How Do You Find New Staff?

[Pete Brindle]

After a discussion with a friend who finds all of her new staff via a job agency, I was wondering how you go about it?

I have had experience with past businesses of various different methods, however I now prefer to advertise outside of agencies because you get a lot of time wasters who don't actually want the job and who are just applying because they are being forced to by the agency.

In the business I have now, music tuition, I knew all of my staff before we set up the business. I felt as though the personal touch was very important, and so far I have been absolutely right.

What do you think is the best way to find staff? Also what's your recruitment process like?

 

[Gemma Rowlands]

I have found all of my staff online so far. I put up an advert on a freelancing website to see if there was anyone in the area who wanted a part time job in the office, and lots of people applied. I have found lots of people who could do the job, and am happy with those who I hired.

My original recruitment process was something like "want a job? Okay, let's see how it goes!" but that was when I was starting. I would be a little more cautious now!

 

[Pete Brindle]

I have found all of my staff online so far. I put up an advert on a freelancing website to see if there was anyone in the area who wanted a part time job in the office, and lots of people applied. I have found lots of people who could do the job, and am happy with those who I hired.

My original recruitment process was something like "want a job? Okay, let's see how it goes!" but that was when I was starting. I would be a little more cautious now!

Brilliant! I bet the people who applied for the jobs were happy with that process! How do you cope when you find that people don't meet the standards you're looking for, though? Do you find it hard to let people go?

 

[Gemma Rowlands]

Brilliant! I bet the people who applied for the jobs were happy with that process! How do you cope when you find that people don't meet the standards you're looking for, though? Do you find it hard to let people go?

I will admit it's quite difficult, but because we work directly with clients, they let us know very quickly if work isn't quite at the standard they would have expected. I have a few long term clients who have agreed to let us test out new staff under the promise that we will do the work again if it isn't great, and they can give fantastic critique. Quite a few staff have left under their own steam because they can see that their work isn't good enough and would need to be done again, and that takes up too much time - but I have had to let one or two go and yes, that has been difficult.

 

[Pete Brindle]

I will admit it's quite difficult, but because we work directly with clients, they let us know very quickly if work isn't quite at the standard they would have expected. I have a few long term clients who have agreed to let us test out new staff under the promise that we will do the work again if it isn't great, and they can give fantastic critique. Quite a few staff have left under their own steam because they can see that their work isn't good enough and would need to be done again, and that takes up too much time - but I have had to let one or two go and yes, that has been difficult.

Sounds like a relatively good setup though. And I suppose it also helps your staff to discover which jobs are the right ones for them.

 

[Gemma Rowlands]

Sounds like a relatively good setup though. And I suppose it also helps your staff to discover which jobs are the right ones for them.

Yes. One thing that I wish people understood is that just because they like reading doesn't mean that they will be a good editor/proofreader.

 

[Pete Brindle]

Yes. One thing that I wish people understood is that just because they like reading doesn't mean that they will be a good editor/proofreader.

..And in my line of work, "just because you like music doesn't mean you'd be a good teacher"!

 

[Gemma Rowlands]

..And in my line of work, "just because you like music doesn't mean you'd be a good teacher"!

Yeah. I can play a few instruments but I'd have no idea how to put what I do into words that other people could follow!