To run a successful business, you’ll need employees with integrity, a strong work ethic, and, of course, the right skills. Finding the right people for the job can often seem difficult, especially in the age of online recruiting and hiring. Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about hiring reliable, trustworthy employees in 2025.
Posting a Job the Right Way
Reaching reliable candidates in the 2020s means taking advantage of online job posting sites like Linkedin and Indeed. These are the platforms where you’ll reach top talent, and using them can save you a significant amount of effort in the recruiting process. However, it takes some skill and intentionality to create an online job posting that will reach the candidates you’re looking for.
To make an effective job posting, you’ll need to be clear about the expectations you have for an ideal candidate and explain what you have to offer to job seekers. Provide as much detail as possible about your company, the role you’re hiring for, and the compensation and benefits you’ll provide. Doing this will attract serious prospective workers whose skills match the standards you’re looking for.
How To Vet Resumes and Start the Hiring Process off Right
Once you have a job posting live, you should start to see resumes roll in. The first part of the hiring process starts now with vetting those resumes and seeing who matches your requirements on paper. A skills match on a resume isn’t all you need to make a successful hire, but it is an important initial step.
To find a candidate who perfectly matches your company’s values and needs, you’ll need to look beyond their skills and qualifications. While an advanced degree or work experience can tell you quite a bit about a candidate’s potential value, a resume that showcases real-world competencies and successes can tell you a lot more. If a candidate can “show their work” with a portfolio, a case study, or a basic sample of their work, that’s a reliable way to know whether they’re legitimate and trustworthy.
During the vetting process, keep an eye out for some of the most common resume red flags. For example, if a candidate doesn’t explain an employment gap, switches jobs very frequently, or doesn’t go into detail about the nature of their work, it’s definitely a cause for concern.
How To Screen Candidates: Where Background Checks Come In
When you have a set of vetted resumes,the next step is to use background check services to verify candidates’ credentials and make sure they are who they say they are. A background check gives you an essential extra layer of confidence by helping you sort through employment records, education history, and any criminal charges you should know about.
Unfortunately, some applicants will most likely be dishonest about their professional and academic achievements. Using a background check service, you can pull reliable data that will verify that a candidate holds the degree they claim to have or held a certain high-level role that they listed on their resume. In addition, a background check will reveal whether an applicant has a criminal record, whether they’re on a sex offender registry, and many other crucial details that will influence your decision to hire. Keep in mind that when hiring, you should always choose a background check service that is transparent about its processes. The right option will be backed by proven experience and provide packages that are customizable to fit your company’s needs.
In-Person or Virtual Interviews: The Next Step
Once you have a clear sense that a candidate is who they say they are and that they’re the right fit, the next step is to have an in-person or virtual interview. During this meeting, you’ll want to get a clear sense of what their character and demeanor is like — not just what their achievements are. Look for signs of integrity, humility, and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset. Asking questions about how candidates have handled challenges, responded to feedback, and worked well with others will help you see what their professional character is like. In addition, if you can, get other members of your team involved in the interview process and see what they think of a candidate. This will give you the chance to see how your current employees feel about each prospective hire.
Finding Good Workers in 2025 Doesn’t Have To Be Hard
Hiring in the 2020s can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you take the time to go through the steps listed above and make use of background checks and team input, you’ll be well on your way to finding an ideal employee who will match your company’s values and add something new and unique to your company.
