Recruiting Challenges

Talking about recruiting, it often gets a bad rep. It’s seen as not very exciting, especially compared to areas like sales or general business culture which have become more important lately. But here’s the thing—recruiting is crucial. It can make or break your business. That’s why it’s so important to focus on not just hiring skills but also on how these practices shape your company’s environment.

Hiring the right person for a job can be tough, especially in industries where people often leave their jobs, like in cleaning and landscaping. Karina Borja-Lacroix, who has run her own real estate and consulting business for over 15 years, joined us to discuss the complexities of recruiting and maintaining a solid team.

Karina shared that one big mistake she remembers is letting her heart lead her hiring decisions. This often meant choosing candidates who needed the job most, rather than those best suited for the position. This approach sounds kind, but it didn’t always turn out well for her business.

Interview Techniques

We also touched on something I believe strongly about—owners shouldn’t conduct interviews. Why? Well, we tend to want to fix problems, including in people, which can lead to biased hiring decisions. We might feel a personal connection over shared experiences, which sounds nice but might cloud our judgment about who’s really right for the job.

Karina agreed and mentioned she’s changed her approach by recording interviews and having her team vote on candidates. This method ensures that the same questions are asked in every interview, keeping the process fair and consistent.

Remote Work Culture

Switching gears, we discussed maintaining a strong team spirit in a hybrid workplace. Karina pointed out the importance of casual interactions, even digitally. They use Slack for day-to-day chats where her team shares personal updates and photos. This keeps everyone connected and engaged, which is super important when you can’t meet face-to-face.

She also noted that remote work makes it harder for employees to feel seen and valued. So, feedback and praise are even more essential to keep morale high.

Remote work requires flexibility from both employees and employers. Regular feedback and clear communication lines are essential to ensure that remote staff feels integrated and valued.