Every business needs talent. An individual or a set of individuals who elevates the business with a certain skill set that will enhance the company’s outlook. But is spotting talent easy? Joining us to speak about how to identify talent we have Brand Strategist and CEO at Garrick Communications, Naomi Garrick.
Assembling the right team is one of the most important parts of building a successful business.
Brand strategist and CEO of Garrick Communications, Naomi Garrick says that before business owners think about hiring, they must clearly define what it is that they are looking for.
She said that beyond the obvious needs of what the company is looking for, business owners must figure out what other skills the potential employee has that will positively contribute to the company.
“What I have found is that we start looking more, not just at the particular skill that fits the agency but also what are some of those soft skills that can support other things that we do,” Garrick said, speaking specifically to her public relations agency.
She noted that even though her company mainly focuses on public relations, during the hiring process she looks for candidates who are proactive, problem solvers and team players.
“What are some of the values that you bring to a company, based on your own experiences, that we may not already have in our company,” she explained.
She noted that employees, depending on the industry, can be taught the specifics of a job but there are some natural skills that are essential in setting a company apart from its competitors.
Garrick noted that it is important to hire individuals who are passionate about the company and that will always put their best foot forward in order to see the company thrive.
“We want to make sure that we have the right members of our team onboard, that believe in our vision, that are as passionate as we are and they want to learn and grow,” she added.
The CEO said that for her company social media such as Instagram and LinkedIn have been her go-to platforms to recruit talent. She said that in the post she does not include the “typical” requirements that one would expect from public relations companies. Instead she focuses on skills that she believes are important to her business, namely a problem solver, an eye for detail, willing to work late among other things.
Through this method, Garrick noted, that the job listing attracts people who do not have any public relations qualifications but are still capable of meeting the company’s needs.
The PR Chick, as Garrick is called, said she also believes in conducting group interviews to narrow down potential employees. In the group interview setting, Garrick says she is able to observe potential employees in real time as they react to questions and even answers from other candidates.
The next step is to have the shortlisted candidates complete a project to assess their timeliness, creativity, writing skills etc. Based on the information provided Garrick then selects the best person for her team.
She said it’s also important to take note of candidates who come to an interview prepared and show that they have done some level of background research into the company.
This again shows that the individual is committed to delivering the best work to help the company grow.
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