Guide To Know If You Are Recruiting The Right Candidate Within The Print Industry
6961|March 31, 2020|by Kyra Chawla
Within the print industry today, there is a shortage of qualified talent. As the demand for more dynamic skills stretches across every role, from Artworker to Print Finisher, positions are being left unfilled. As a result, finding the right candidate can be an obstacle for employers in this industry. To help you identify the right candidates for printing jobs, here are five qualities to look out for. Resembles Your Ideal Profile Before you even post your job advert, you should pinpoint your ideal candidate. List every qualification you’d like them to have, every conceivable task they’ll complete on the job, and every “soft skill” you think necessary for the position. Highlight your company values and mission as well, articulating clearly what is important to you as a business. The clearer you are in your job description, the more likely you are to find a good candidate. With that being said, don’t expect to find someone who fits your ideal profile to a tee. In fact, there might be quite a few areas candidates are lacking in, especially if your list is exhaustive. You should compare their profile against your ideal one, but you should also evaluate their qualities separately. Has Attention to Detail Many jobs in the print industry require attention to detail. Artworkers must ready proofs for printing, a Glue Minder must perform quality control and safety checks, or a Design Manager must oversee new structural designs for booklets, catalogues, or other materials. In any of these positions, the ability to spot and remedy small mistakes efficiently is essential. You can gauge a jobseeker’s attention to detail by reviewing their application materials. Did they make spelling or grammar mistakes in their motivation letter? Was their application tailored to your company and display a basic familiarity with your products and services? If a candidate is thorough during the application process, they’re likely to be so on the job. Has Experience with the Right Software or Tools In the print industry, specific skills are required to complete some jobs. A Design Manager, for example, should have experience working with computer-aided design (CAD) software to oversee and produce new structural designs. Machine Printers should have experience operating printing presses for different types of printing, like booklet printing or catalogue printing. You should develop an understanding of the required skills and tools a candidate needs when creating your job specification. You know what the job entails and you know which software or which machines the jobseeker should be proficient working with. If you state these clearly on your job advert, you should attract the appropriate candidates. If you’re having trouble finding people that have these hard skills, you might consider taking someone on as an apprentice, or offering a training scheme to teach them these tools. This can be a great solution for someone who matches your ideal soft skills profile but lacks the necessary experience. Works Well with Clients Some positions in the print industry require a good working relationship with clients. Artworkers, for instance, must be able to communicate effectively with your clients so they understand exactly what the client wants. Likewise, management positions usually entail solid communication skills, as their tasks involve keeping track of client accounts or projects. You can evaluate a candidate’s written communication skills from their application. Use the interview as a chance to test their verbal proficiencies. If they’re difficult to speak with or don’t seem articulate, they may not be able to handle client accounts efficiently. Performs Under Pressure The print industry can create high-pressure environments. Print Finishers, Artworkers, and management positions all work under tight deadlines, getting the client’s project finished on time. If you’re hiring for a role that involves frequently adhering to a strict schedule, you’ll want someone who performs well under pressure. Interviews can be a nerve-wracking situation for most, so they’re a great opportunity to test this skill. Try to throw your candidate off balance by asking an unusual question, just to gauge their response. Or include a short, creative skills test in your interview to see how well they develop new solutions or think on their feet. Final Thoughts on Recruiting the Right Candidates for the Print Industry How do you know if you’re recruiting the right candidates? There’s no way to be completely sure until you hire someone! But by looking for these qualities, you can establish a solid profile of someone. You can see how well they’d fit at your company and if they’d be an asset to your team.