Many companies report that their biggest challenge is finding talented employees. This really is the factor that separates mediocre companies from “Industry Leaders”.

Well, how do we hire the best and not just settle for whose available? Or who meets our job requirements?

Here are some basic tips that can elevate your hiring practice.


Define what you’re looking for. Most companies know what they need but fail to do the work upfront and convey this to their HR team or recruiting group. Your candidates will only be as good as the initial effort put into it. I say reach for the sky and target the best and brightest. Worst case scenario is that you have to settle with someone that can only move mountains.

Deliver a world class candidate experience. Yes, the process is very important and following the necessary steps will lead you to selecting the right candidate, but if all of your efforts are on the screening out process and there is no defined candidate experience, then all of your efforts may go to waste because none of your final candidate picks are interested in what you are offering. In the end remember you are dealing with people and they want to be treated with kindness and respect, because they know that if they are treated poorly during the interview process then what will happen when they take the job. Think of something that other companies aren’t doing. Not only you’re your applicants remember it, but they will probably tell their colleagues and friends about the experience.

Don’t accept average. Demand the best from your human resources department or recruiting team. If you take the initiative as a hiring manager and show your commitment to hiring the best it will all go down hill from there. Recruiters and HR professionals love to work with hiring managers that are passionate and committed to the process. There are also so many resources out their today to help in your search including: Employee Referrals, Online Job Boards, Social Networks, Industry Groups, and yes outside Recruiters.


Most of these concepts are pretty elementary but I am still quite amazed on how few hiring teams really understand this.



Christopher Brady is the Managing Director of Hire Recruitment, LLC a search firm dedicated to finding world class talent in the Advertising, Media and Consumer Goods industry. He is also the founder of www.facehire.com a video employment site. He can be reached at chris@hirerecruitment.com