Happy Memorial Day from People Lease!

Fire up the barbeque and get out the sunblock, Memorial Day is almost here. Many Americans will be travelling to a vacation spot or having cookouts with friends and family this weekend. Many more will be shopping the sales aisles. Whatever you’re doing, Memorial Day weekend is a great time for not only fun, but also remembrance.

Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to summer. Schools all over the nation are out for summer vacation or will be very soon. With kids looking at a few months of fun in the sun, Memorial Day is the perfect time to start celebrating.

But whether you're attending a parade, having a picnic, or going on vacation, keep in mind that Memorial Day is for remembering those who have given their lives in service of their country. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday in 1971. Flags everywhere are flown at half-staff to honor fallen soldiers until noon on Memorial Day and are then raised to full staff to show that their sacrifice was not in vain. So, whatever your plans are for the weekend, please take the time to remember the meaning of the holiday.

Have a fun, safe, and happy Memorial Day weekend!

Background Checks

For the past few weeks we’ve been posting about hiring methods and practices (you can find the posts here). During our research, one of the things we’ve discovered is that an essential part of the hiring process is checking out a prospect’s background. You really can’t afford to be surprised by a candidate’s previous history. After all, if an employee's actions hurt someone, the employer may be liable. A bad decision can wreak havoc on a company's budget and reputation.

People Lease offers a fantastic employment screening service to all our clients. With our service you’re able to establish a prospect’s identity, obtain driving and criminal records, get information on illegal substance tests, confirm the existence & validity of licenses, and confirm education & employment information provided on their resume. Another part of the service includes contacting references with customized questions (according to job description) about their relationships with the applicant, and his or her personal and professional reputation and activities.

People Lease is here to help you with hiring and all aspects of employee administration. To learn more about these services and others, please contact us today.

A quick checklist to help guide you through the hiring process

• Determine the need to establish a new or fill an existing position.
• Make sure an updated job description for the position is on file.
• Consult the job description to identify the required knowledge, skills, and experience required.
• Calculate the available compensation, including pay and benefits.
• Train managers on how to conduct effective interviews.
• Create an advertisement or recruiting campaign for the job position.
• Contact applicants to schedule interviews.
• Contact top candidates' references.
• Meet with the relevant decision-makers to select a candidate.
• Present the offer letter.
• Conduct background checks.
• Schedule New Employee and Department Orientations.
• Document all new hire paperwork into the employee's HR file

Avoiding Hiring Mistakes

Whether you're growing your business or replacing staff members, you want to find quality employees. You already have applicants and after looking through our recent posts on hiring, you think you're ready to find the right person. You know that the wrong person can cost your company time and money. But all too often, businesses make hiring mistakes.

There are several hiring mistakes to avoid. Common problems start with the interview. You need to be clear about the job's requirements up front and stay on target. You don't want to hire someone based solely on their personality or appearance without asking questions related to the position. Also, don't mistake a candidate's nervousness for lack of ability. Interviews can be intimidating for anyone, especially if it's a surprise group interview.

Another mistake is paying too much attention to the candidate's degree over their experience. There's just no substitute for a proven track record.  Don't forget, you're looking for someone who has a good feel for the position and will be a good fit for your team. You might consider involving your current employees, as well.  After all, they're the ones who will be interacting with the person hired. Getting your employee's input can help strengthen their involvement and loyalty for the company.

Possibly the most important mistake to avoid is not checking candidate's backgrounds. If you're serious about a potential employee, make sure their work history is accurate and check a few references. Internet giant Yahoo recently made this mistake when their new CEO's resume listed a degree he didn't actually have. In addition to the work history and references, background checks are very handy. You certainly don't want to hire a professional embezzler or someone who's been convicted of stealing from the company warehouse.

Hiring is always a daunting task but if you remember these rules while going through your interviews you'll be one step ahead of the game.

The role of social media in hiring

So you've decided to do a little hiring and you're going through the resumes and talking to references as these things have always been done. But what about the new tool in the hiring toolbox?

Social media is a huge part of American culture these days and it's naturally extended into hiring practices. Many managers are looking at job seekers' profiles to find out who is company material.

What can employers find out about a candidate through social media sites? Many look to see if the applicant conveys a professional image and what communication skills they have. Managers can also see if the candidate's background info supports their professional qualifications. In most cases, employers look to get a good idea of the candidate's overall personality.

Of course, social media is also a means by which employers weed out candidates. The most common strike against job seekers is posting inappropriate or provocative pictures online. Drinking and drug use is also a factor in rejecting candidates. Additionally, employers tend not to hire those with poor communication skills, have bad-mouthed a previous employer, and who make discriminatory remarks.

If you're looking to hire, you wouldn't be the first to take advantage of social media to find out a little about who your candidates really are. Of course, businesses have to be very careful when using social media not to discriminate against potential employees in order to stay in line with the law.