How to hire right

Author: Dinah Zeldin

It is said that a company is only as good as its employees. For small business operators, particularly in the c-gas channel, having an amazing staff can turn your business from good to great. That’s why attracting and hiring the right employees is key to business success.

I spent some time chatting with Peter Shrive, human resources expert and partner at Toronto-based Cambridge Management Planning Inc., about smart strategies c-store owners should employ to recruit and hire staff.

Here’s what I learned:

Always advertise

Even if there are no immediate vacancies on your team you should always be on the lookout for potential hires. Shrive suggests using professionally lettered signage in your store, word-of-mouth and ads in community newspapers to publicize future positions. This way, if a staff member quits last minute, or you have a sudden need to expand your business, you will have a stack of resumes on hand and be able to fill the vacant position quickly.

Know what you want

When posting an ad or selecting a candidate for an interview it is important to know what traits you are looking for in a potential hire. It’s a good idea to start by making a list of traits a staff member must have to work well with your business model. Start by making a list of key qualities and competencies, such as a positive attitude and demonstrable sales experience, and make sure the candidates you’re interviewing possess all or most of the items on the list.

Attitude says a lot

When you are hiring staff that are going to work in a retail environment and interact with customers face to face it is important for them to possess a positive attitude. The way your staff treat customers will reflect on your business, so make sure any new additions to your team are well-groomed, presentable and pleasant.

Test before you hire

There is no surefire way to know whether a new hire will be able to perform a range of tasks without testing them first. Before you hire a candidate, test their math skills by ‘playing store’ with them: ask the candidate to make change and pay attention to how they operate the cash.

Show you’re grateful

Have you already got a stellar team? Shrive points out that staff retention can be a challenge in today’s fast-paced society. Keep your staff happy and engaged by rewarding their hard work with annual bonuses, holiday events or small gifts.