By Eric Rojas
One of the key aspects of my job is making great hires. I look at our staff of 120-plus employees and I thank God every day for the stories behind the people.
While a lot of elements go into hiring, I have found 6 overarching values that drive hiring.
1) The Right Power
Hiring managers think they are the ones that are making the hires “happen.” The key reality comes to us from Zechariah 4:6 – “It’s not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” It’s not our own power that leads to the hire; it’s the power of the Holy Spirit. Make sure that you are reminded of this at the beginning, middle and end of the hire.
2) The Right Plan
I can’t tell you the number of hiring managers I talk to that have no real plan going into a hire. They have a general idea of what they want but feel that they will “know it when they see it.” Do the work. Have a developed job description. Have buy-in from those who will be interacting regularly with this hire. Know the type of person you feel is going to best fit on the team. Have a plan!
3) The Right Process
Similar to not having a plan or direction, make sure that the steps are laid out in the process. When should you talk about money? When should you call references? If you’re bringing someone in from out of town, when is the right point in the process to go to that expense? A thought-out, streamlined, agreed-upon hiring process can save time, money and grief.
4) The Right Position
Too often, organizations and churches simply look to re-fill the same job description when a position opens up. Wise churches and companies will thoroughly evaluate the landscape of the organization to make sure this is the right position for now and into the future.
5) The Right Person
In many cases, the right person is right under your nose. It may be a person in another role on your team that God has uniquely prepared for this open position in this season. It could also be a person that is a friend, colleague or in your network that you would already have chemistry with and that would already know your culture. If not, work with and stick to the process to lead to the right person.
6) The Right Passage
The first 90 minutes, 90 hours and 90 days are crucial to your new hire having the best passage possible into the new role. Be very purposeful and prayerful as you work through the passage season. Establishing good relationships, understanding, networking, expectations and goals will also ensure that the passage leads to a long and successful tenure.
In each of these steps and values, be sure to also seek and involve wise counsel. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.”
Would you add any key values?
Live well. Lead well.
Eric Rojas loves his role as the executive pastor of Christ Community Church in St. Charles, IL, where he oversees a staff of 120 and serves alongside Senior Pastor Jim Nicodem. He has been on staff at CCC since 2000.
During his 20+ years of ministry, Rojas has served in churches as a youth pastor, adult ministries pastor, small groups pastor, associate pastor, worship pastor and men’s pastor.
He is a contributing author for Group Publishing’s Men’s Ministry in the 21st Century and has written for various magazines and websites.
Rojas also serves the church-at-large through consulting and seminar presenting.
He has been married to his wife, Rachel, for 22 years. They have 3 children — Luke, 21; Adam, 19; and Chloe, 17.
A man of faith, Rojas believes that next year is the year the Cubs will finally win the World Series.
