Scotiabank’s manager of training and development Nicola Pitt has advised employers not to rush the hiring process.
Addressing a recent small business seminar hosted by the bank at the Savannah Beach Hotel, she said hiring was an important step and business owners had to make sure they “hire the person who is the best fit”.
“I’m telling you it’s the employees who make or break your organization. You can do all the family fun days and do all the reward and recognition programmes but if they decide they’re going to sabotage you, they could do it like termites. They’re doing it slowly and then all of a sudden you’re like ‘what happened?’” she said.
Pitt said that during the interview, employers should ask questions that forced candidates to “describe situations where they have demonstrated the behaviours you’re looking for”.
She also suggested getting the candidate to act out some of the responsibilities of the job.
“[If you’re hiring] salespersons, look for something in your office and say ‘okay sell me this pencil’ . . . . Those things confuse the people because sometimes they just want a job and some of you give it to them just like that,” she told the audience of business owners.
The manager also suggested that employers produce clear job descriptions so they can craft meaningful questions for the interview process and so that candidates understand what is expected of them.
“Take the time to properly orient and train the new employees. That will save you a lot of time and energy later,” Pitt added. (NB)
