Representing Your Business: 5 Reasons To Really Research Before Hiring

According to none other than Forbes magazine, “hiring someone new for your company is a scary process.” The business giant states that while you can certainly review their resume and do some background checking, there is still no substitute for good old-fashioned thorough research. This post will give you five critical reasons to “do your homework” before you consider bringing a new employee into your com pay.

1. Because Tests are Trustworthy

The Harvard Business Review recently reported that the traditional wisdom when it comes to hiring new employees is backwards. Data actually shows that the employee testing phase should come first, and only those candidates who pass the pre-employment tests should be given an interview.

2. In-Person Impressions Don’t Tell the Whole Story

While you can’t tell everything from a candidate’s social media profile, you can see enough by surveying a variety of profiles to gather a picture of how that candidate conducts him or herself. Companies that do not survey candidates’ online presence may be well served to retain the services of a defense attorney for criminal cases instead.

These candidates, once become an employee will stand for the brand you have built up. It is important to make sure that they stand for the same ideas and will shine your company in a good light at all times.  Jobs and careers are a common topic and the general demeanor of an employee can effect potential clients thoughts and feelings.

3. Fact-Checking is Revealing

MarketWatch reports that tough economic times are leading to increased resume padding from desperate candidates who need to start paying off their student loans. The more research you do, the more likely you are to uncover the type of discrepancies that can make the difference between a rejection and a job offer.

4. What Others Say Matters

While employment verification may not net more than a simple confirmation of resume data, sometimes you can get lucky. You may reach a disgruntled former employer or a colleague with a loose tongue – and you may just discover that your “perfect” candidate isn’t so perfect. In the same way, enthusiastic feedback about a candidate can turn the tide towards a promising candidate. If you don’t ask, you will never know.

5. Good Cream Rises to the Top

Finally, the more research you do, the more data you will have to compare one candidate with another. While there is no replacement for gut intuition or the invaluable insights of those who may work directly with a candidate, sheer volume of data will in time reveal a theme – one worth hiring, or one you may want to skip.

With these five compelling reasons in mind, you may decide to shift your hiring policy to include more preliminary, preventative pre-hiring research. By adding more research to the process beforehand you can really save time in the long run, by just interviewing real candidates and being aware of their accomplishments and what assets they can bring to the table. Also, don’t forget the importance of finding a candidate that will fit your company’s environment. Make sure they are a good fit and your company is a good fit for them. By spending the time to find the overall best candidate, you are destined to find a great fit that will mutually benefit the company and candidate.

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Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn’t writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.