7 Things to Look for in Applicants
In this two-part series, we’re discussing the process of hiring employees. Last week, we discussed the required preparation in selecting members of a support staff. Once you decide to hire an employee, you must consider what, exactly, you need. In this article we suggest 7 traits to look for when interviewing and comparing applicants.
1. Aptitude. Whether you need someone to perform minor bookkeeper tasks or answer the phones, you must select applicants with the right skill set for the job. Writing a job description will definitely help you determine the professional training and experience you require from prospective employees.
2. Attitude. You definitely want to hire someone with a positive and can-do attitude. Often what you’re looking for is someone who complements your management style and enhances your current work environment. Some may find an outgoing employee to be appealing while others may want someone more low-key. Much of this depends on personal preference.
3. Confidence. New employees will always require on-the-job training. How quickly they assimilate and become proficient in their new responsibilities often depends upon how confident they are. However, look for applicants who are self-assured rather than arrogant.
4. Ownership. Everyone makes mistakes, and it can debilitate a business when professionals don’t acknowledge them; when mistakes go ignored, problems go unresolved. It’s important to ensure that those you hire are willing to own their mistakes and take the necessary action to fix them.
5. Workability. Even if you just hire one employee, that person will be working with you, and probably, your clients, even if it’s on a limited basis. Regardless of their job description and responsibilities, employees will be required to work with others, and you need to know that they can handle those interactions gracefully. Ask questions that will help you determine whether or not applicants are team players.
6. Stability. No one wants to hire an emotional unstable employee. And while you can’t necessarily ask questions to help you discover how stable they may be, body language can be a key indicator in determining how well adjusted your applicants are. Look for those who are even tempered and appear to handle stress well.
7. Integrity. Many businesses have fallen victim to dishonest and immoral employees. Running a background check can weed out those with a criminal history. However, it’s also important that you have applicants respond to hypothetical scenarios in order to determine just how they might respond to questionable situations.
Looking for the right employee to complement your business can be an arduous task. But when you take the proper steps to ensure that you know what you’re looking for, it can be well worth the effort.
Grow Your Business with the Universal Practice Builder Program
Whether you are an accountant, bookkeeper, tax preparer, or QuickBooks consultant, the Universal Practice Builder (UPB) program will enable you to attract and retain more clients, significantly increasing your bottom line and your ability to hire support staff.
Most people wouldn’t ever consider driving blindfolded; the result would be catastrophic. But when you drive your business on blind marketing strategies, you’re destined to the same fate: professional catastrophe. Understanding that most financial professionals are not marketing specialists, Universal Accounting designed the UPB course to train people like you how to grow businesses that are more enduring and lucrative.
The Universal Practice Builder program has more than earned the nickname “Marketing on Steroids.” No other course available offers such amazing results at such low risk. We guarantee that by completing the UPB and properly applying its principles, you will earn $30,000 in new annualized billings in less than a year. Use that money to give yourself a raise, hire an employee to help with the increased workload or both!
To help you increase your annualized billings you will learn how to apply 12 marketing strategies which will help you produce 15 to 25 qualified leads per month. You will also be trained to use QuickBooks to attract more clients and will receive three months of coaching via telephone and the Internet!
But please, don’t just take our word for it. Read what other graduates are saying about the Universal Practice Builder Program:
UAC is a great company with great staff, teachers & presenters. (Integrity in approach to accountants and businesses. Great knowledge of subject matter and how to market our skills.) I will recommend this to others – I thought the UPB exceeded my expectations. The DVD’s and binders are top quality and the one-on-one with the presenters and fellow attendees was fabulous. I was initially attracted to attend the program by the opportunity to have a good income from bookkeeping and accounting. – Vicki G.
UAC is the premier trainer of the accountants of the future. They truly understand how to differentiate their clients from the average accountants. To be honest, I don’t want anyone in my area to know about UAC. I think the information provided will truly separate my services from 95% of my competition.—Magnus E.
You guys certainly over-delivered. I now feel extremely confident to be able to sell my profession, knowing that I am truly providing a great value to my clients. – Igor P.
Universal Accounting is out to help accountants and bookkeepers to understand how to market their trade and to help their business clients become profitable. The training and programs are great. The materials and the presentations were very easy to follow and enlightening. All the presenters, the staff were great. It is comforting to know that I have this great company (UAC and staff) to provide support to me if I need it or falter. Thanks for a great job. – Anthony A.
Create a more profitable practice that can sustain a support staff. In doing so, your business can achieve more growth and success than you’ve ever imagined. Enroll in the Universal Practice Builder Program now!
Resources
Toren, Adam. “Your Employees Can Make or Break Your Business: How to Know What to Look for in New Hires.” 10 May 2010 YoungEntrepreneur.com
Bartmann, Bill. “Hire Great Employees: Back-to-Basics Advice on What to Look for in Your Most Valuable Asset.” 1 April 2010 Entrepreneur.com
