When your company is growing as fast as ours, you often find yourself short-staffed. We feel as though we are constantly in catch up mode, yet somehow we deliver for our clients and continue to produce work of a high standard.
Behind the scenes it's a different matter. Not only are there demands to create strong marketing plans for our clients, there is the demand to do the same for ourselves. The need to find staff that are nimble, creative and deliver is imperative.
I am a strong believer in culture and finding the right fit. I'm lucky, because I started the Dallas office utilizing Marketing Eye staff that was already established and bringing on board a few people who I had worked with in the past. I knew everyone could deliver and I knew what strengths they brought to the team. Now, as I continue to build my team, I will need to find people who are not so familiar, but are a good fit.
Behind the scenes it's a different matter. Not only are there demands to create strong marketing plans for our clients, there is the demand to do the same for ourselves. The need to find staff that are nimble, creative and deliver is imperative.
I am a strong believer in culture and finding the right fit. I'm lucky, because I started the Dallas office utilizing Marketing Eye staff that was already established and bringing on board a few people who I had worked with in the past. I knew everyone could deliver and I knew what strengths they brought to the team. Now, as I continue to build my team, I will need to find people who are not so familiar, but are a good fit.
In any small business every person must pull their weight and their contributions are evident. Here are five things that will immediately disqualify any applicant from being part of the Marketing Eye team.
· Lack of Integrity.With my previous company I did an extensive FBI back-ground check on every candidate. I told them I was going to do the check and told them to be honest with me about any arrests or marks on their record. Do you know people would still lie? The fingerprinting cost them $45 and if they weren't eligible I couldn't hire them or reimburse them for the fingerprinting.
Even though Dallas is a big city it isn't that hard to find someone who knows someone. Social media alone will reveal most secrets. Be honest, if you were fired say so. If you are deficient in a skill let me know so we can prepare to train you. I am a very reasonable person, but not when it comes to lying.
· No Interview Preparation.For every person I interview, I look them up on social media. I like to know a little bit about them, their interests, it just makes interviewing easier. Plus it is nice to know what the person you are interviewing looks like, so you can greet them warmly by name, rather than asking, "Are you ...?"
If I'm going to do my homework on a candidate, they need to have done the same. Did you check out our website, read the blog, know the requirements of the job? If you don't show up prepared for an interview how can I expect you to show up to work prepared, or worse to a client meeting?
· Sloppiness. I want people to be themselves, but I also need them to show engagement. Like doing your prep work before an interview, it is important to double check your resume for spelling errors, dress appropriately for the interview, be conversational and show up on time.
I use to have an HR manager who would write down the time of the interview and the time a person arrived. The position was one where being on time was important and if the person was late, we knew up-front that would be an issue.
If you are going to be late or are stuck in traffic, you need to call. Being late shows you can't make deadlines. If you don't know what to wear, over-dress. You can always ask about attire in the interview. Be yourself, but be your best self.
· Making Unreasonable Demands. I'm a transparent and fair person. I'm not going to pull out any surprises or make any unreasonable demands. If there are downsides to a job, I'll let you know and hopefully those negatives can be offset by more good.
On the flip side, I need to know if a candidates expectations are not in line with the job. I am not going to suddenly create a whole new job position after I hire a candidate. If you need a day off or different pay, discuss this before being hired, not once you have accepted the job.
· Arrogance.I will admit that there is always more I can learn. I'm even very open to hearing feedback and learning from my staff. After all, I like to hire bright people who come with ideas. However, if ideas turn to arrogance, it is a no-go. I have no time for people who try to one-up me.
Interviewing is a bit like dating. You are looking for the right fit, someone you can spend time with and who you are compatible.
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