Although everybody can have a personal style, there are guidelines for hiring in the private sector. Members and nonmembers of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce learned this lesson at a Chamber University seminar Thursday.
Chris Byrd, manufacturing human resources manager for nine years at Viking Range Corp., spoke at the seminar, titled "Hiring 101."
Of course, "There's nothing like having a good labor attorney on speed dial," he said, somewhat jokingly.
Byrd said interviewing is important because hiring the right employee reduces turnover costs, prevents loss of employee morale, prevents the chance of lost business due to poor customer service, helps sustain worker productivity and prevents negligent hiring.
Currently, 40 percent of people lie on their resumes, he said, so it is important to check for fraudulent credentials. Also, gaps in employment dates are a red flag, he said.
He advised employers to take good notes on candidates.
"If you don't take good notes, you will forget 75 percent of everything they said in the interview," Byrd said.
Don't talk the whole time, he said. If you make an interviewee feel comfortable, he said, he or she will talk more freely and give you more information, he said.
Byrd reminded attendants that questions about age, sex, race, national origin, religion, disabilities and even marital status and dependents qualify as discrimination.
He closed with the statement: "Your business' success and organizational culture tomorrow are driven by selection processes and hiring decisions today!"
Gloria Williams, a Leflore County Vocational Center business teacher, said she could pass interviewing tips on to students. Some legal information, such as repercussions from violating the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other laws, was new to her, she said.
"(Byrd) was very enthusiastic and knew his subject matter," she said.
"It was a very informative seminar, and I think it is wonderful that the chamber is offering these seminars to members and nonmembers," said Paige Hunt, director of Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Chamber University seminars are free for chamber members and cost $10 for nonmembers. Interested parties may call (662) 453-4152 to reserve seats for future sessions.
