When we started this blog, one of our main interests was to share stories from fellow business owners and entrepreneurs whom we respect. Today we’re getting 6 Employee Hiring Tips From Profit 50 CEO Peter Ferrante.
Here’s my friend Peter Ferrante, Founder and CEO of Ferro Canada Inc. Ferro, a firm of 30+ employees, scored #32 on the most recent Profit ranking as one of Canada’s fastest growing companies. Ferro is a professional environmental and general contracting company, specializing in Hazardous Materials removal. Known for being “the company to call when you need it done right the first time,” they have developed a reputation for being true leaders in their industry.
Here are Pete’s responses to my questions:
1) What’s the best hiring advice or hiring tip you’ve ever received? Why was it the best?
- Hire slowly fire quickly.
- I used to do the exact opposite and then try and “pigeon hole” people into the right slot, after much wasted time and expense training, waiting and generally accepting inferior value for my “salary dollar” I would make a change and have to start the whole process over again. HSFQ, is simple and makes sense, it’s a mantra here now.
2) What’s the most effective job interview question you’ve ever used … and what was the outcome from using it?
- “Describe to me how you created a plan to …”
- It gives me insight into people’s thought process and execution which I can follow up on when I check references.
3) When it comes to hiring employees, what is the best time/money-saving tip you know?
- Have a good job description (know the job description) and stick to your needs – check references!
4) What’s your best advice for avoiding an employee hiring mistake? Why?
- Check references! If possible “test” your candidates somehow.
- People try and put their best face on in an interview – what you see at this stage is not always what you end up with. Like buying a puppy, make sure you will be happy with the inevitable dog and not the cute little thing before you at the moment.
5) Where (from what source) do you tend to find your best candidates? Why is it the best source for you?
- Professional references.
- When someone has to “vouch” for another individual they usually think twice about giving you a potentially bad employee.
6) What employee hiring question am I missing from this list, and what’s your answer to it?
- Has using ClearFit.com benefited you in any of your hiring practices and if so how?
- It gives me a better picture of the individuals that are applying to my company and what their “core” strengths and weaknesses are. I still have to perform my due diligence but at least I go in with more information and the general idea that a leopard can’t change its spots helps shape my interview and questions.
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