If you want a great business you need great people, so how do you identify the right people in an interview?

Here are three tips to help you hire right the first time;

1. What you know changes, who you are doesn't

The most common mistake is to hire someone with all the skills but the wrong personality for your facility and believe that they will 'fit in'. It's a waste of time. Training for skill is a lot easier than moderating behaviour. What Popeye said holds true for much of the population; 'I y'am what I y'am'.

2. You can't find what you're not looking for

If you want people that will thrive in your business, identify the personal characteristics of those already thriving and hire people just like them! Identify the target behaviours and attitudes of your star performers and develop new interview questions to find people with those attributes. Your questions need to be about facts and achievements (not psychoanalysis). Remember, behaviour predicts behaviour.

3. The best way to evaluate people is to watch them work

Invite the candidates to join your business in the desired role for a few hours (if possible) or simulate the type of work they would be doing with role plays. For example, have a potential Personal Trainers take you through a training session where you are assuming the role of a specific client; or role play greeting clients with applicants for a front desk position.

Remember, with job ads, you're restricted to those that apply

Advertising can deliver the largest number of applications, but the goal is to have the right job candidates, not the most! 

Smart recruitment is therefore an ongoing process that begins close to home with referrals from current employees. For even greater reach, make use of the HealthyPeople database to get in touch with professionals interested in opportunities in their area.