Next Steps in Hiring

The distractions of the stock market are keeping the headlines off of the real news - the unemployment rates.  As the ranks of job seekers swell, the arms race of polishing resumes and practicing interview questions is on.  Think you have a good screening method?  think you can compare resumes and get an "apples to apples" comparison? Think you have "radar" that is good at picking up false answers?  Think again.

There are some great resources on the applicant's side.  On-line research about your industry in general and you, the employer, in specific.  Software to craft a very impressive resume.  Videos and podcasts to guide the "soft skills" part of the interview.  All of this produces a predictable result - erratic job fit and poor job performance.

Want to see what the applicants are using?  Try this link for some interview advice.  Try this link to review a blog that is intended to help applicants get by your pre-employment testing.  Or even read this website that is intended to help applicants fool drug testing.

My point is simple.  As the employment pressure climbs, raise your standards and get pre-employment assessments into the mix.  As applicants are preparing their answers, you should be preparing your questions...and building them into your talent management system.