Hiring Difficulties are Often Self-Inflicted

When it comes to hiring, some people tend to make it more difficult than necessary. Granted, some decisions are more difficult than others and deserve extra time and forethought. Hiring is a big decision. A lot of planning and thought should go into it, but we see so many good potential hires go by the wayside because decisions can’t be made by those responsible.

Anyone who has hired very many people has at some point made a bad hiring decision. It is inevitable for a variety of reasons. Candidates aren’t who they say or what we thought they are. The job is not clearly portrayed. Personalities clash once they are in the same building. Work styles differ. And the list can go on and on.

For decades, I have heard and even repeated "Hire slow and fire fast." Sounds reasonable, but it isn’t always the right approach. In
today’s hiring market, like a hot housing market, a quality candidate is often not available for very long. Companies need to

have a plan to respond quickly when good hiring opportunities arise. After all, good opportunities seldom come at a good time.

How prepared is your company? Do you have a clearly thought-out hiring plan in place? Do you know what a “great” candidate looks like? Are you prepared to add talent to your bench to fill potential gaps or to jump on growth opportunities? Who will interview them? Who will make the decision? How much can you afford to spend for a “Michael Jordan”, “Mike Trout” or Patrick Mahomes type of candidate?

Take time to sit down, write out a hiring plan, and prepare yourself for when the next great candidate comes your way. It’s better to be standing at the train station waiting than to pull up just as the train pulls away. And in order to avoid some hiring derailments, read “Why Aren’t We Getting the Best Candidates Hired” elsewhere in this newsletter.

Recently, many companies have asked us the above question, and many more should be. The fact is, your company’s hiring processes simply may not be designed to attract and secure the top talent. Great candidates today are hard to find, and when you find them or are introduced to one by an awesome recruiter, you must be ready to move quickly, decisively, and professionally.

It is important to remember that good passive candidates are not generally looking for a new job. However, when they have an event that causes them to look, they are anxious to test their worth. What typically happens when these candidates are sent to your company? From our experience, it is often not good.

AGRI-SEARCH is pleased to announce that Vic Heinold has been named Recruiter of the Year for 2020. Heinold was chosen for the second consecutive year based on his outstanding level of production and exceptional customer service he provided to the company's clients and candidates throughout the year.

Dave Allen, AGRI-SEARCH President, shared, "We are very proud of Vic. People enjoy connecting with him, and he has been a key part of the success of AGRI-SEARCH for nearly ten years. He is an exceptional professional who is dedicated to excellence and providing the high level of customer service that AGRI-SEARCH strives to achieve."

AGRI-SEARCH is also pleased to recognize Chelbi Williams Alt as Teammate of the Year for 2020. Chelbi was chosen by her peers based on her positive attitude, willingness to assist and encourage teammates, and her ability to work together with everyone towards the common goal and for the good of the company.

Dave Allen, AGRI-SEARCH President, shared, "We are very proud to have Chelbi on our team. Every day she brings a positive attitude and a passion for doing what is right along with fresh ideas and a willingness to help. She is a key contributor to our team’s success at AGRI-SEARCH.
Chelbi is a dedicated professional who enjoys helping people and serving our clients well."

Do you have the grit to not give up and stay true to the course, no matter how difficult it may be? Are you competitive and possess a strong sales mentality where every “no” is just one step closer to a “yes”?

If so, and you have a passion for connecting with and helping people, plus a strong agricultural industry background in agronomy, grain, or other areas, please contact Dave Allen. We would enjoy having a discussion with you about how a recruiting career may be a great fit for you.

Founded in 1995, AGRI-SEARCH is a professional recruiting firm providing clients with customized recruiting solutions in various niches within the agricultural industry. Our success results from our industry focus, our specialized approach to recruiting, and our staff's lifelong roots in, dedication to, and vast understanding and knowledge of the agricultural industry.

At AGRI-SEARCH, our mission states that we “are committed to serving the agricultural industry with integrity, passion and excellence by assisting our candidates to reach their career goals and helping our client companies build successful teams.”