Time to Hire Again? Here's Who.

Even amid the recession, plenty of employers continue to add to their workforce, and many of those who have put their hiring on hold will be searching for workers once the market turns around. Whether they're currently in the hiring game or expect to be so sometime down the road, smart organizations will take steps to position themselves to compete for the best candidates.

FlashPoint recently helped a client recruit for some executive roles, and as we collaborated, we utilized a book called Who: The A Method for Hiring. Using research, management interviews, and statistical analysis, authors Geoff Smart and Randy Street outline a four-step process (scorecard, source, select, sell) to guide organizations in their quest for top talent.

FlashPoint offers the following tips, based on some of the key concepts the book introduces:

• Before you start recruiting, make sure you have an updated and accurate job description. Know the job for which you are hiring. Also, we recommend that you look beyond what you've always expected from the role. Instead, look ahead; consider how the role must adapt to best serve future growth, and hire based on those needs.
• Identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that the role requires. But also look forward to the results this role will need to achieve. What outcomes do you want from the new hire? Focus on this as part of the selection process.
• Use behavior-based interview questions to determine a candidate's past experiences. Instead of inquiring about hypothetical situations ("What would you do if . . ."), behavior-based questions center on real-life situations the candidate has faced and how she or he addressed them. ("Describe a time when you had to . . . . How did you handle the situation? What did you find most challenging?") Focus your behavior-based questions on critical skills or abilities that are essential to the job.
• In addition to an updated and accurate job description, create a position scorecard that specifically outlines major objectives of the position--what the candidate must do in three, six, and nine months. List the actions a candidate must perform to meet these objectives and create your behavior-based interview questions to seek out these actions from the candidate. Use the scorecard as a tool to measure the candidate's abilities during the interview process.
• On the scorecard, identify any strategic initiatives that the new hire will be involved in--determine what skills, experiences, and background the candidate will need in order to make the initiatives successful.
• Understand specific buzz words or technical jargon that a successful hire must understand. Note this on the scorecard.
• Assemble an interview team and assign specific areas of focus for each person to explore. Each member of the interview team should prepare to interview the candidate on his or her assigned focus area, develop behavior-based questions that align with the focus, and document the candidate's responses. This will curtail interviewers asking the same questions. Gather the interview team shortly after all interviews have been completed for a short debrief.

To learn more about these ideas, explore Who: The A Method for Hiring, by Geoff Smart and Randy Street (New York: Ballantine Books, 2008). For help implementing solid recruiting practices and ensuring new-hire success, contact FlashPoint or visit the recruiting page on our website.

Congratulations and Celebrations

TechPoint, an Indiana technology initiative, recently announced the finalists for its 2009 Mira Awards. The awards recognize the achievements of the top technology businesses, business professionals, and educators in the state. FlashPoint congratulates one of our clients, EHOB, Inc., for being named a finalist in the Health and Life Sciences category. For more on the TechPoint Mira Awards, visit TechPoint's website. 

In other technology news, the Indianapolis Museum of Art (also a FlashPoint client) recently launched a new website called ArtBabble that features videos about art and artists. The venture has received national attention, including a write-up in the New York Times.

New Laws Affecting HR

For the third time in four months, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended the effective date of the E-Verify requirement for federal contractors. The mandatory E-Verify rule, originally slated to be implemented in January, has been delayed until June 30, 2009. The effective date provides the Obama administration additional time to review the rule.
For more information about the extension, read Barnes & Thornburg's Labor Alert . For details about federal contractors' E-Verify requirements, visit the USCIS website.

FlashPoint's Legal Affiliate Expands

Barnes & Thornburg LLP, the Indianapolis-based law firm with which FlashPoint is affiliated, recently opened a new office in Columbus, Ohio. Noted labor and employment attorney William A. Nolan will lead the office. Earlier this month Barnes & Thornburg also opened a full-service office in Atlanta, its first location in the southeast. Barnes & Thornburg has issued news releases with more details of the Columbus and Atlanta operations.

Upcoming Events

Getting Buy-In and Support for Your HR Initiatives
May 6, Indianapolis
Presented by FlashPoint's Andrea Cranfill as part of the Indiana Chamber's Annual Human Resources Conference and Expo
Lack of support, executive and financial, can kill an HR initiative. How often have you promoted a project only to learn it "won't work" or "isn't in the budget"? Learn how to turn the situation around by demonstrating ROI, building relationships, and speaking the language of your business. This session is part of the Indiana Chamber's 45th Annual Human Resources Conference and Expo, May 5-6 at the Marriott East in Indianapolis. For more information, including a conference brochure and registration details, visit the event listing on the Chamber's website.

Indiana Chamber HR Workshops
FlashPoint sponsors the Indiana Chamber's 2009 HR Training Series. Information is available at 800.824.6885 or the Chamber's website.

• Supervising and Managing People Workshop, May 28-29
• Fundamentals of FMLA Seminar, June 10
• Advanced FMLA Seminar, June 11

Continuing Education Workshops in Indianapolis
Looking for cost-effective training opportunities for yourself or your employees? FlashPoint facilitates noncredit courses through the IUPUI Community Learning Network. For more information or to register, visit the  CLN's website.

• Pump Up Your Communication, June 12

Other FlashPoint Speaking Engagements
FlashPoint regularly presents at conferences and association meetings. If you belong to the following organizations, we're coming to speak to you!

• Indiana CPA Society--Andrea Cranfill will moderate a panel discussion, "It's All about People," at the Solutions Summit, May 8
• Indiana Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators--Jeremy King will speak on social networking for business and personal gain, May 12
• Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care--Krista Skidmore will speak on attracting and retaining talent at the 2009 Hoosier Home Care and Hospice Conference, May 19
• Indiana Chapter of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association--Andrea Cranfill will participate in a panel discussion, May 20

Would you like FlashPoint to speak to your group? Send us a request!