Executive Business Coach Chuck Boyce: Looking For The Perfect Employee? Try a Different ApproachAs entrepreneurs and small business owners, it’s easy to get caught up in our own images of who is perfect for a particular job. But in a lot of cases, the behaviors and skills that we initially think fit a certain job description might not be the most important ones at all. If you, as the business owner, do not adapt, you may miss out on a wonderful opportunity to hire an employee who can not only do the job, but also raise the ceiling of what the position can give to your business. This is where the hiring of non-traditional candidates comes into play. If you think outside the box, and choose wisely, these employees can bring a fresh perspective to the position, and in turn can significantly improve your service to the customer. And as an added bonus, looking to bring in these types of workers can actually result in an easier hiring process. Let’s say you own a business that tends to be seasonal. During the busy months your employees are stretched thin, and during the slow months you’re paying for employees but can’t fill their work schedule. This is completely inefficient, but in your mind the only other option is to continually hire and fire workers, and who wants to do that if it can be avoided. Do your busy months come during the summer? Then think about hiring teachers. They have the time window to work, are usually looking to make extra income on their time off, and might have the perfect temperament to deal with your customers. Maybe one of your job descriptions requires an employee to do the same easy task over and over again. These jobs tend to have a high turnover rate because people sometimes think they’re above this kind of work. How about hiring someone with a disability for this position? Their skills may be perfectly suited to the job, and helping people out is always a good thing. Or how about hiring a retiree? A lot of them are looking to prove that they still have talent. Call your local chapter of AARP, and they will help you find retirees in your area. What if the job requires tremendous organization? Or calm under pressure? Or the ability to deal with crowds? Maybe a retired police officer or fireman would suit your needs. These people have already been professionally trained for pressure situations, and have invaluable experience. They can also help to train your current employees on how to better deal with these scenarios. Other groups of non-traditional employees may include: military personnel and their families, homemakers, students, recent immigrants, and telecommuters. All of these groups have unique skill sets that could be maximized in the right job position. So make sure to keep your mind open and limit any preconceived notions you might have, because it’s up to you to put the right people in the right places. “Independent Executive” Chuck Boyce is an experienced small business coach who can help you get the most out of your business. For more information on how you achieve your business goals, go to www.breakingfreeblog.com. |
     |
