Recruiting new staff can be a pain. The whole process of finding a new employee can be lengthy, tiring and, if you’re running a small business, very time-consuming. However, this doesn’t mean you should cut corners and hire the first person who comes knocking.

If you’re hiring for the first time, or think you could do more to keep your recruitment process on top form, these are some of the ways you can perfect it.

Body language

When being interviewed, body language is a huge factor to be conscious of. What many people don’t know is that your body language, as the interviewer, is just as important. You don’t want to send off the wrong signals about the company, which is why you should keep tabs on how you come across.

Keep in mind that you’re representing the company and have to portray the image of the company and represent that in how you interview and with the questions you ask – and how you ask them!

Don’t let time interfere

If you’re running a small business, hiring new staff can come with a strict timeline – especially if you want to make the most of your resources. Because of this time restriction, it can be easy to hire after you’ve seen one or two candidates, assuming they’re the best you’ll find.

If you aren’t completely satisfied with the applicants you’ve interviewed, don’t be tempted to hire them just because you’re against the clock. If you do, you most likely will regret it later down the line when their incompatibility with the company begins to show.

Don’t be afraid to say no if you don’t think a candidate is a good fit. You’ll save money by waiting that bit longer and finding a good match than if you waste time with someone whose values don’t line up with the company’s.

Have a flexible budget

This may be a tough ask if you’re a small business trying to keep costs low, but this is also the time when you’ll need the best employees possible to help grow your business into a long-term prospect.

If you try to keep costs low by avoiding paying what a good candidate will be looking for, you won’t find the best talent available. Of course you shouldn’t offer money away you can’t afford, but don’t use this as a place to scrimp. Instead, offer a reasonable rate that accurately reflects the role you’re advertising. Otherwise, you’ll be in danger of having to hire again pretty soon!

Check references

Checking a candidate’s references may seem like an act best left up to the larger companies, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make sure your potential new employee is perfectly suited to your workplace.

Once you’ve conducted an interview, you should get in touch with references to ensure they are happy with the candidate’s capabilities within the workplace. Don’t put it off assuming everything will be fine, otherwise there’s always the potential it won’t be.

Set the tone

In an interview, the interviewee will rely on you to set the tone, so don’t be afraid to take charge. Set a tone you’re comfortable with and that you feel like represents you company. For example, if the office is relatively informal and chatty, feel free to act down the interview and ask for a more informal chat.

This way, you can get a more accurate representation of how they’ll feel in your workplace setting – which is exactly what you’re looking for.

Are you struggling to recruit for your small business? Or do you have other tips on things to look out for when hiring? Leave your comments in the section below!