If you own a small business, you’ve likely figured out how important your employees are to your success. The good ones are especially important, but where exactly do you find them? Sometimes employers get stuck in a hiring rut and only hire someone if they check off certain boxes on a list.
While this may make it easier to get through hundreds of resumes, a candidate that doesn’t have the traditional experience, but is still a great hire, may get overlooked.
Below we offer up some types of people you may want to consider when your next job opens up.
Our Suggestions:
Career Changers – Yes, you heard us right. That’s because we’re not talking about the risky, habitual job-hopper. We’re talking about people who’ve worked hard in a particular field for a number of years but have since decided they want a change. A good example is a teacher. Many teachers teach for years before moving on in search of better pay. Teachers are extremely well educated and highly trained, have experience working with many different types of people and personalities, and are great at encouraging and nurturing others. When hiring a career changer, look past their industry and focus on the qualities and skills they possess. With a little training, a good worker can excel in almost any position and quickly become an asset to your company.
Athletes –It is estimated that around 400,000 student-athletes graduate from college and enter the job market each year. Though you may scoff at hiring a student who focused on football or basketball in college, athletes have many skills that help them excel in the workplace. For example, an athlete is self-disciplined, highly motivated, good at overcoming adversity, understands and values teamwork, and is great at multitasking. These are skills that are highly valuable in the workplace and rarely come in one employee.
Military – If you are looking for a leader in your new hire, a veteran is a great way to go. The military is one of the only organizations that puts more emphasis on leadership training than it does on skills training. When you want an employee who can see tasks through, follow and lead, and make smart decisions in high-pressure situations, a veteran has the skills you need.
Young Workers – It is easy to write off young workers because they often have little or no experience. However, keep in mind that someone took a chance on you and helped you get work experience when you were starting out. Young workers understand this stigma and are more likely to work harder to show you that you made the right choice in hiring them. Also, keep in mind that students are eager to gain experience and will likely take an internship or even a lower paying position to start with to get it. With a young worker, you are likely to get energy, enthusiasm, new ideas and hard work.
Unimpressive Current Job – When looking over a potential employee’s resume, you may scoff at their current position, whether it be in fast food or telemarketing. However, do not assume that a person who currently works a “menial job” is only worth that type of consideration. For example, someone who works in fast food understands a high paced environment and likely has great customer service. Someone who stocks shelves in a warehouse will likely be detailed oriented and have skills in an organization. When hiring a new employee, it is important to look past a job title and think about the skills he or she actually possesses.
What now?
The key to finding great talent at a price that is affordable is to think outside the box. Do not be blinded by a current job title or the fact that the applicant has little or no experience in your particular field. Instead, look at the candidate’s skills, such as being a leader or working well in stressful situations, to see how he or she would fit in at your company. You may be surprised when you give someone who is eager and deserving a chance to show what he or she can really offer you.
The team at Optimum Employer Solutions can help you with the hiring process, from interviewing to onboarding to training. Let us help you find, train and keep great talent.
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