Employee selection

Selecting good employees starts first by defining the job, then identifying the right candidate. Follow these steps as a basis for screening and evaluating all potential candidates:

- List job responsibilities and/or prepare a job description.

- Define important selection criteria for selecting a qualified candidate (specific skills, knowledge or experience needed to be successful on the job based on the job duties, etc.).

- Conduct a preliminary screening with a review of resumes and/or applications.

- Hold a brief telephone interview focusing on three or four important selection criteria.

- If the candidate's qualifications meet the preliminary screening criteria, interview using professional interview techniques.

Remember, the candidate must fit the job - not the other way around. Obey that rule, and candidate selection will be more effective.