Do Not Overlook the Importance of Employment History During the Hiring Process

Updated on March 28, 2021
HR

There is a saying that it is difficult to find good help these days. If you have open spots you are trying to fill in your company, you need to find the right people for the job. On the other hand, there is a lot that you have to consider. Some applications might be so long that you don’t even know where to start. As a result, you might overlook a few important factors. One of the most important factors that you need to consider when you are trying to hire someone new is that person’s employment history. What should you look for when you are taking a look at someone’s employment history?

How Long Ago Was the Last Job?

First, you need to take a look at when that person was last employed. Is that person currently employed? If so, ask them why they are changing jobs. On the other hand, if the person is currently unemployed, take a look at when they last how the job. It has been a long time since they worked, ask them why they haven’t had a job recently.

The first thing you need to do is take a look at the most recent job listed. Make sure you find out everything you can about that working experience. This will provide you with a bit of insight into the type of person you are interviewing. 

What Type of Experience Did That Person Gain?

Next, you need to take a look at the work experience someone has on their resume as a whole. When you are trying to hire the right person for the job, the experience is everything. You need to think about the skills necessary to successfully fill that open position. Then, you need to find the person with the right work experience to fill that opening. 

In some cases, people gain a lot have experience in a short amount of time. It is that experience that may be helpful when you are trying to fill your openings. Make sure you ask about the type of experience the applicant has gained. 

Do You Have Any References To Call?

Next, you should also see if there are any references you can call. There are two categories of references. The first type of reference is called a character reference. These are people who know the applicant well. That way, you can learn more about that person’s personality. You want the applicant to fit with your company culture. If you do not hire the right person, your company culture could be thrown off.

Then, there are professional references that you need to call as well. Professional references are individuals who have worked with the applicant. This can provide you with a window and to what that person might be like in the workplace. It is important to consider both categories of references when you are trying to make a hiring decision. 

How Far Back Does the Employment History Go?

Finally, you also need to take a look at how far back the employment history goes. Take a look at how long the applicant tends to stay in one place. You do not want to have a rotating door at your open positions. One way to fix this is to hire people who tend to stick around. Your company could lose a lot of money training new employees to fill open spots. You want to minimize the amount of time you spend training someone and maximize the amount of time that individual spends generating revenue for your company. 

Consider These Factors When You Look for a New Employee

Finding a new employee is not an easy process. Even though you can hire someone quickly, this doesn’t mean you are going to get the right person for the job. You need to take your time and do a thorough search when you are looking for a strong employee. This includes considering that person’s employment history. Take a look at what type of experience someone has, how often they change jobs, and whether they have any references you can call. That way, you can make the right hiring decision for your company.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.