Finding the perfect employee is probably one of the hardest things an employer has to do. In fact, an employer’s search for the best recruit can be an arduous and time-consuming process that can leave one frustrated and dismayed.

As a knowledgeable employer, you know how much of a difference a great employee can make in terms of performance and contribution to the overall progress of your company. This makes you perturbed at the fact that it is very hard to find great employees nowadays.

But before you start pulling your hair off in disappointment, you have to know that there are certain measures you can undertake not only to avoid employees from hell but also to ensure that you get the cream of the crop:

Look at the resume with a critical eye

No, you do not have to be Sherlock Holmes to get this one right. Just knowing some tricks of the trade will give you an idea on who is lying in his resume. For one, always watch out for employment date overlaps. For some, it may be an honest mistake but for others, it may be a sign of dishonesty in the resume. Ask the applicant about it and then double-check by calling up the employers to verify employment date.

Analyze the person’s employment history and see the duration of each of the applicant’s previous jobs. If you see that there are too many short-term employment (less than a year), this may be a signal that the applicant lacks commitment or may have been fired for bad performance.

You should also be wary of long gaps in between two jobs because being out of work for a very long period may mean that the applicant had a criminal offense. Again, contacting the employer is your next best move.

Formulate a standard hiring procedure and be consistent with it

You need to build up a hiring procedure that should include basic to advanced screening of applicants, employment background check, and structured interviews. You should be consistent with the rigorous process of hiring people.

Do not be lax with a certain person just because she seems like a nice woman who does not need a criminal background check. Remember, looks can be deceiving. Also, the more important the position is, the more stringent you should be in practicing the methods included in your standardized hiring procedure

Hire top talents

Sure, they may cost you more because they know that they are good and they may demand a higher salary. But you have to consider the fact that these kinds of employees will also bring higher profit to your company.

You also need to look at the skills of the employee for you to be certain that they indeed qualify for the position. Their skills should always match the job description. For instance, man with an amazing talent on money matters will still not be a good hire if you are looking for a receptionist.

Be careful during interviews

A great interview certainly does not mean a great employee. Online, you will find thousands of articles discussing guidelines on how to succeed during an interview, which means that the person who aces your interview can just be well-rehearsed. The applicant is probably saying all the things you need to hear.

What you can do is to have second, third or more interviews until you see the applicant letting his or her guard down and revealing more of himself or herself. During the first interview, the applicant will be more self-conscious about giving the right impression. Having another person do the interview with you is also a great idea since interviews can be quite subjective and having a second opinion will help a lot.

Furthermore, you should also never fail to look at the person’s nonverbal behavior, which says a lot about an applicant’s real personality and intentions. Straight posture, firm handshake, focused eye contact and nodding while listening are some obvious signs of a potentially good employee. Those who slouch at their seats, fiddle a lot, and difficulty in making eye contact signal negative impressions such as lack of attention or low self-esteem.

Hiring excellent employees may not be the easiest job in the world but all the time and effort you spent into it will go a really long way for you and your company.