NFIB

Where to Find Good Part-time or Full-time Employees
03/ 28/ 2002


When a company has only a few members on staff, a new employee makes a significant addition. For this reason, new employees must be flexible, and should fit in well with existing personnel. In today's Workshop, Jeff Moses shares tips on where to find such employees, and how to help them fit in with your group.

--By far the best way to locate potential new employees is through referrals from your associates, friends, or customers. Before contacting a referral, ask the person who is recommending them how long they have known the person, how experienced person is in the particular job you need filled, and how congenial or team-oriented the person seems to be.

--Books have been written about the art and science of interviewing potential new employees. Go to a bookstore and purchase one or more books that seem informative. They'll save you money in the long run.

--Other places to find good leads on potential employees are associations and clubs to which you belong, college placement departments (for both full- and part-time employees), and employment services. When you contact an employment service, try to develop rapport with one of the representatives, then speak with that representative each time you call. This will enable the rep to get to know your needs, and facilitate finding the right employee for your company.

--To determine if a new employee will fit in, consider hiring for an "initial review period" -- a month or two at most. During your first interview with the potential employee, you can bring this up by saying that your company is an especially close-knit team, and it's necessary for both you and the employee to determine if the "fit" is right before a final employment arrangement is concluded. Many temporary-employee agencies will work with you to find an appropriate person to begin work on a part-time basis, with the possibility of becoming full-time later.

--If you're looking for technical or management personnel, put extra focus on recommendations from associates you know and trust. These key employees are hard to find, and you'll be glad for the extra effort you spend in locating someone who will fit well with your special needs.

--An alternative for finding specialized personnel is a "headhunter" or specialized recruitment service. You may find such services locally, but in some instances you might want to go national so that you'll have a wide range of candidates to choose from. Most of the leading national recruitment services can be found on the Internet -- including services specializing in technical personnel, management, or specific industries. Simply go to one of the leading search engines and type in the type of recruitment service you require. A choice of services probably will be available.

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