Naive hiring
It takes patience and skill to hire the right people. Busy entrepreneurs can easily be romanced by the applicant who says, "I work hard and I'm a fast learner. I just haven't had the right opportunity."
Here's the trick to smart hiring: Call references, ask them the right questions, and listen hard to their answers. Key question: "If Bob is so great, how come he doesn't work for you anymore?" I want to hear this kind of reply: "Bob is brilliant. I'd rehire him in a second, but his wife got transferred." A long silence at the other end of the line tells me this candidate isn't worth my while.
NEXT: Fear of firing
LAST UPDATE: Jun 02 2009 | 3:58 PM ET
| Sponsored by |
More Galleries
High stress and long hours led these entrepreneurs to pack on the weight. More
The most dramatic changes mandated by the Affordable Care Act, aka "Obamacare," kick in by 2014. These companies are poised for big growth as they work with hospitals, insurance providers and others scrambling to hit deadlines. More
Forget employees. These businesses rely entirely on freelancers. That means no taxes, unemployment insurance or labor regulation. More
Sponsors
