Hiring the wrong office manager can be a disaster for any company. But for small business owners, finding the right person for the job is even more critical. You need to find someone who fits in with your existing staff but who is also proactive and dedicated to the long-term success of the business. But how do you know if you’re making the best choice? Here are six proven tips that will save you time, money, and lots of frustration and stress.
1. Fill in the gaps.
Many business owners often make the mistake of looking for an employee who has the same personality traits and professional skills sets as they do. Hiring a new employee for any position is a wonderful opportunity to fill in the gaps and address those internal processes that you as the business owner have difficulty managing. Look for a candidate with individual strengths and weakness that are very different from you own, and together you might just form an unbeatable team.
2. Remember that a job interview is a two-way street.
Small and medium size companies often find themselves competing for the same highly qualified applicants as the larger firms. While it’s important to interview each candidate, remember that the applicants are also interviewing you. Most candidates will also be interviewing with several other organisations. So, make sure to bring your A-Game and present you, your company and the office manager vacancy in the best possible way.
3. Don’t ask only “yes” or “no” questions.
According to Forbes Magazine, business owners should test for the analytic skills of each candidate by asking more open-ended questions. Give them an example of a stressful situation that they might encounter on the job, and ask them how they would manage or resolve it. Do they stutter and stammer in their response? Or are they thoughtful and confident?
4. Write an accurate job description.
The role of “office manager” can mean very different things to different people. Before posting the job opening all over the Internet, make sure to write a detailed job description and include it in the advertisements. When replacing a previous office manager, take the time to evaluate the old job description to determine whether you need to make any changes. By being as thorough as possible, you will be more likely to attract the best possible candidates.
5. Get your staff involved.
You might even want to pass that new job description around to a couple of your most trusted employees. Is there anything that you are forgetting? Your current staff can also help you with the interviewing process. Have the most qualified candidates meet and engage with the staff. Ask your employees for their feedback. By allowing your employees to play a small role in the selection of the office manager, they are often more willing to accept the new hire more quickly.
6. Time your time, but don’t procrastinate.
Hiring a new employee takes time and patience. You need to prepare for each interview by writing a list of specific questions that you will ask of each candidate. You also need to conduct the interviews, write the job description, and many other administrative tasks. Take your time in the preparatory stages, but don’t delay when you finally locate the ideal prospect. Then make the candidate an offer as quickly as possible before another company snaps them up.
When you’re ready to hire a new office manager, cast your net wide and deep. Post the opening on your website, local job boards, and online sites like IrishJobs.ie or Jobs.ie. Once you find the perfect candidate, make an offer that is a competitive salary based on the prospect’s special talents and the going rate in your geographical region. Avoid cutting corners, and you’ll be well rewarded in the long run.
