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Know Your Employees Before Hiring


The people you hire, no matter how qualified, can take your dairy in the wrong direction if their goals and values differ from the operation’s. You can prevent that from happening by taking time to evaluate the goals of your operation and your employees. Interview your current employees first. They can help you make better hiring decisions.

Ask your current employees these questions:

  1. Who are we looking for?
    Determining how a candidate will fit within the culture of your operation is extremely important. Recognize the core competencies of your top employees and ask them what they like about their job. Then look for candidates with similar goals and attributes.  
  1. What questions are we asking in the interview?
    Make sure everyone is asking behavior-based questions that offer insight into applicants. Asking only yes-or-no questions won’t allow you to fully understand whether a candidate will be a good fit for the team. Asking job candidates how they would handle a situation, for example, will give you more perspective about them.
  1. When are we looking for new employees?
    By interviewing candidates year-round, you’ll hone your skills and process. More important, you’ll find quality candidates who best fit your company rather than hiring the first person who walks through the door.
  1. Where are we looking for candidates?
    Ask your best current employees about potential candidates regularly. This can be just as essential as advertising in trade publications and classifieds. Through word of mouth, your employees might help find someone who would be a great fit for the company.
  1. Why are employees leaving?
    Having a formal, consistent process for hiring can help your dairy find the right people who want to work for you and are more likely to stay long term. However, you should also make sure to inquire why your employees left by conducting exit interviews. Assign a point person to handle everything from recruitment, selection and orientation to exit interviews. Also, involve other team members in the interview process so they can weigh in and be engaged with potential employees as well.

Using the right strategy and finding the right people are essential for maintaining a successful dairy operation. For more questions and help on hiring better employees, talk with a certified consultant, such as those available through PeopleFirst. Visit GrowPeopleFirst.com to learn more.


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