UBJ FORWARD
➤ BY THE NUMBERS With a similar sales tax in Richland County:
42%
of generated revenues would be collected by citizens outside the county (estimated)
< $100
per year spent by average household to support increased sales tax
16,500+ $1 billion+ jobs created
in total economic activity resulting in the area Source: Miley & Associates report
Mastering the Interview This past week, I have interviewed many people for several different positions. Interviewing is difficult, but it is one of the most important jobs that a manager performs. Personally, I have made some wonderful hiring decisions and some that were not the right fit. If I had been more thorough in the initial interview process, I could have avoided the pain of some of the bad hires. Here are some tips to master the interview: • Know the position – Whether you have a formal job description or a rough draft, make sure you know the details of the job. Effectively communicate the position to the applicant. • Know the skill set required – What are the education requirements? What skills are LEE YARBOROUGH necessary for consideration? Once the skills have been established, the field of applicants is narrowed allowing the most qualified to stand out. • Create questions – Before the interview, take time to create questions that are appropriate to the job.
Students from Welcome Elementary School in Greenville County cross White Horse Road on their way home from school. High-visibility crosswalks and a pedestrian refuge island could improve student’s safety for little cost.
the ordinance required to advance the process in an 8-3 vote. The real test, however, will come at second and third readings in the coming weeks when amendments will be offered and pressure from the opposing side will grow stronger. The message from voters, however, remains clear – advance the project list as is to the November ballot. By so doing, they will be respecting the admirable effort of commission members and the countless hours staff spent supporting them. They will be providing voters an opportunity to directly address the transportation issues they deal with daily – every trip they make to work, every day their child walks to school on a route lacking sidewalks, every time they ride their bike along a road lacking safe facilities. Failing to advance the ballot measure simply takes that opportunity away. Lisa Scott Hallo is the director of sustainable communities and Greenville B-Cycle for Upstate Forever.
• Be consistent – When interviewing multiple people for the same job, you must be consistent. Asking everyone the same questions allows you to be objective. • Avoid personal conversation – Sometimes you will establish a good rapport with the interviewee which leads to a more casual interview. However, remain professional and do not ask personal questions. There are specific questions which cannot be asked during an interview; make sure you are aware of what you can and cannot ask. • Involve HR – If you have an HR department or use an outside HR firm, get them involved in the hiring process. They can guide you and keep you out of trouble. • Assessment tools – There are many assessment tools on the market which evaluate a candidate’s compatibility and judgment as well as their background. In my experience, these tools are well worth the cost. And finally, follow your instincts. If your gut is telling you that something is not right with a candidate when all other signs say yes; you need to listen. Some people interview very well, but are not the right fit for the company’s culture. Interviewing and hiring is both a science and an art. The right people are the key to your business’ success. It is time to master the interview!
669 N. Academy Street, Greenville, SC 864.679.6055 | 800.446.6567 | www.propelhr.com M43A
>> County residents. In fact, there is not much basis in that argument. A report prepared by Miley & Associates regarding the economic impacts of a similar sales tax in Richland County found that an estimated 42 percent of generated revenues would be collected from citizens living outside the county and that the average household would in fact spend less than $100 per year to support the increased sales tax (an amount likely offset by reduced vehicle operating costs due to improved infrastructure and shortened commuting times). Other report findings included more than 16,500 jobs created and more than a billion dollars in total economic activity resulting in the area. The Greenville County Roads Advisory Commission did their job and did it well, using a process void of political influences. Greenville County citizens and county staff did their jobs, too – citizens participated by the hundreds and county staff acted as integral resources for commission members. Now each Greenville County Council member must do his or her job – act without politics in mind and give Greenville County citizens the opportunity to vote on a one-cent sales tax referendum this November. On Tuesday May 6 Council passed
May 16, 2014
UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL
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