Once you have decided the time is right to bring a new employee on board, take the time to find the right candidate.

Having confidence that you have chosen the right person for the job will give you a more positive outlook on the future of your business, says Rosemary Smyth, a business coach and owner of Rosemary Smyth and Associates in Victoria. And that confidence will make a big difference in the new employee’s success with your team.

Look for these qualities when assessing a candidate to join your business:

1. Long-term goals
Look for a candidate with a genuine interest in your business.

When interviewing prospective employees, Smyth says, find someone who is excited about the financial services industry and who has long-term career goals.

Ask the candidate about his or her plans, she says. Does the candidate want to take personal development courses? Is he or she someone who will add to your business and help it to grow?

2. Similar values
When searching for a new team member, Smyth says, it’s important that he or she is on the same page as you about running a business.

Find someone who shares your values and business ethics, she says.

3. Trust
When searching for a new employee, look for someone credible and reliable.

The financial services industry deals with a significant amount of confidential information, Smyth says. And you will need someone with integrity who you can trust.

Ask yourself: Do I trust this person? Could he or she handle confidential information?

4. Respect
Think about how the candidate is likely to relate to you and to others.

For a successful hire, Smyth says, there must be mutual respect between yourself and the new employee.

As well, make sure he or she will be respectful and courteous to others, she says, such as team members and clients.

5. Chemistry
Make your team part of the hiring process.

Introduce a candidate to your current staff, says Smyth, and try to determine whether he or she will fit with the team.

This is the second instalment in a three-part series on hiring staff. Next: Steps in hiring the successful candidate.