Ep. 6 - The Secret to Hiring Without Feeling Overwhelmed
If you've been following along, you know when it's time to hire. You know how to write a job post that attracts the right people and the biggest red flags to avoid.
But even with all that knowledge, hiring can still feel very overwhelming.
I get it. I hear it all the time:
"I know I need to hire, but I just don't have the time to go through a bunch of applications."
"I can't find the time to step out of the treatment room and actually find a good candidate."
"I have no idea how to choose the right person."
But here's the good news: hiring does not need to be stressful.
I'm going to show you how to simplify the hiring process so you can find the right person without feeling like it's taking over your life.
The Common Hiring Overwhelm Traps
Trap #1: "I Don't Have Time to Go Through All These Applications"
You're already busy, so reviewing resumes feels like so much work. You keep putting it off, so you stay overworked and stuck in the same cycle.
If this sounds familiar, it's not that hiring is too hard. You just need a better system for filtering out bad applicants so they don't waste your time.
Trap #2: "I Don't Know How to Pick the Right Person"
Maybe you've made bad hires before and you're afraid of repeating that mistake. Every candidate might look good on paper, but you're not sure how to really tell who will be the best fit.
This is when having core values for your business is really important because you can lean on those when you're feeling indecisive. Without a clear hiring process, choosing the right esthetician can feel like a guessing game.
Don't worry. I'll walk you through the steps to make this easy.
The Solution: A Simple 3-Step System
Step 1: Use a Pre-Screening Process (Weed Out Bad Fits Instantly)
Most of your hiring stress comes from sorting through unqualified candidates. You need built-in filters so only the right people make it through to you.
How to do this:
In your job description, include specific instructions like putting a very specific subject line in the email they send with their resume
Require applicants to answer a short questionnaire: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? What's your favorite service to do? What should we know about you?
This isn't about hiring based on whether they're an introvert or extrovert. It's about seeing how self-aware this person is. Do they work well on a team? Can they be resourceful?
If someone cannot follow basic directions, immediately disqualify them. Delete the email.
This alone will save you hours because you're not wasting time on applicants who can't even follow basic directions.
Step 2: Batch Your Interviews (Save Time by Interviewing Multiple People in One Day)
Instead of scheduling one person at a time, batch them back-to-back together. This helps you compare candidates side by side so the best one can really stand out when you're in the same headspace.
How to do this:
Set aside one day for interviews
Schedule them in back-to-back time slots just like you would a client
Use a structured set of questions so you can evaluate everyone fairly
Take notes the whole time
Rate each candidate immediately after the interview (and trust your intuition!)
By interviewing multiple people at once, you'll get a clear sense of who stands out and you won't spend weeks dragging out the process.
Step 3: Do a Test Service (See How They Actually Perform Before Hiring)
This is a big one that I really resisted for so long. But now that I do it, I gain SO much information about the candidate during the process.
I'm a really big fan of "hire the smile, train the skill." I'm going to have to train this person whether they're fresh out of school or they've been in the industry for 15+ years.
Even if they don't do it exactly as you would, do they have good energy? Do they have a good touch?
How to do this:
Have them perform a basic facial, waxing service, or whatever you're hiring them for
Observe how they interact with the client
Ask yourself: Are they warm? Professional? Do they genuinely care?
Most importantly: Would I be comfortable sending my clients to this person?
A test service removes all the guesswork. You'll know right away if they're going to meet your standards and if they're teachable.
At the end, give them some constructive feedback and see how they react. If they don't take it well, that's an indication they might not be a good fit.
Your Next Step
Make an outline of a step-by-step hiring process that fits your spa so you can follow it every single time. This is called an SOP (standard operating procedure).
Start using the pre-screening method to filter out bad candidates. And batch schedule your interviews to make your time more efficient.
Ready to create a hiring system that works?
Fill out this intake form to book a discovery call with me. Let's build a process that takes the stress out of hiring.
Thanks for being here. Peace and love, my friend.
