You can improve your company … one job at a time. How? Many hiring managers miss the simple opportunity to improve their company. Every open position is an opportunity to improve a position’s benefit to the company.
Often, an employee has been in the same role for several years. The organization has changed, but the position description has not changed to better fit the company’s needs. Hiring managers need to take the time to examine what role is played by that position, and how it best adds value to the company’s goals. It is much easier to eliminate or change a position that is vacant. A critical review of what is truly needed will help the hiring manger to better define appropriate requirements, and to select a new employee who is the best fit for a position. A few simple steps can have a huge impact on an organization.
Hiring managers, take the mindset that every open position is an opportunity for improving the position’s benefit to the company. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this position still necessary? If yes, are there any responsibilities that should be changed, removed or added?
- What was the contribution of the last employee in the position, and how did their specific strengths and weaknesses affect their performance?
- What additional skills or experience would be helpful for the new employee to succeed and add value?
- What is the current make-up of the team, and what skills or characteristics would be complimentary?
Taking the time to do a critical review of the current situation can make a huge impact on the decision making process for a new hire. In turn, hiring the person who is the best fit for the position can lead to an extraordinary performance, which has a direct link to the company’s bottom line.
Does your company reevaluate descriptions for open positions? Try it, and tell us how it works for you.