Let’s ponder this… for your last hire, how long did you spend discussing the needs of your new hire? Did you go beyond the job description and discuss core behavioral competencies needed to drive your latest initiative? Discuss the current culture and organizational climate? Discuss what the next career step would be? OR Did you simply hand the job description over and ask to have it posted and filled?

I continue to be amazed at the time spent on things that are a cost to a business versus the time spent on a critical investment such as Human Capital. In fact, I just found a 51-page RFP online for OFFICE FURNITURE… office furniture?!?!

Now more than ever, all companies need to get the very best and highest productivity out of each and every hire. Human Capital is the greatest investment you make in your company, both in direct monetary output and the dependency on your human capital to deliver against your strategic goals and mission.

If that’s the case, why would any leader spend more time and discussion on buying the new desk than hiring the next great employee?

When you think about yourself or your talent acquisition team, which side of the fence do you rest and which is best for your company to achieve your goals?

Take this quick assessment to find out where you land. When it comes to hiring talent we…

Fulfill an order

OR

Collaborate between recruiters and business partners on comprehensive hiring needs

Simply post and pray

OR

Develop a strategic sourcing plan where everyone in our company is responsible for finding great talent

Treat our candidates like numbers

OR

Treat our candidates like customers of our business

Assess whether the candidate meets the minimum qualifications

OR

Assess beyond the requirements andassess for our culture, values, and behavioral competencies

Think only about our need 

OR

Think about our needs and what’s in it for the new employee to come work with us

Measure ourselves by how FAST we hire

OR

Measure by the QUALITY of the hire

End the recruitment process with the Offer Letter

OR

End the process with a smooth transition to a thorough on boarding process ensuring early engagement and time to productivity

Did you circle more to the left or to the right?

At the end of the day, the question really is…   Do you to want to just get someone hired OR Do you want to succeed in business?  Join me next week for a discussion on the competencies for a behaving “strategically” as a Talent Acquisition partner.

Oh, and while you’re waiting…  Go ahead and purchase your tickets to Listen to Your Mother here in Austin on Sunday, April 29th, supporting Any Baby Can. I’m an honored member of the cast this year and would love to see you there!