Why Hiring Two People for a Department at the Same Time is a Good Idea for Company Culture
Many moons ago, I was hired for my first career out of college. The agency also brought on two interns at the same time. What was nice about all of us being hired at the same time, being so green, is that I didn’t feel alone. The three of us could go to lunch, talk about our new experiences, and feel like we were part of a group. As time went on, our bond grew more and we felt like we worked for the company, as well as being friends with each other. We would have some of the same tasks and problem solve together. At summer client parties it was fun to have inside jokes only the three of us understood. When any of us achieved something, we were proud of each other.
Hiring new employees can be a daunting task for any company, especially when it comes filtering through the massive amount of applicants. While it may seem counterintuitive to hire two people at the same time for the same department, there are actually several compelling reasons why it is a good idea for a company to do so.
First and foremost, hiring two people at the same time can help to improve the overall quality of the candidates being considered. When a company is hiring for a single position, they may essentially be spinning the roulette wheel, zeroing in on one candidate they feel is the best…or a candidate who looks the best on paper. If a company is out of practice or simply ‘not good’ at picking new hires, a bad single hire could cost the company, as well as impact overall morale. I’ve seen this scenario more times than I’d like to admit. However, when two positions are being filled simultaneously, the company has the opportunity to cast a wider net and attract a larger pool of candidates. This can result in a better match between the candidates’ skill sets and the needs of the department.
Another advantage of hiring two people at the same time is that it can help to create a more dynamic and collaborative environment within the department. When two people start at the same time, they are likely to form a bond and work closely together, which can help to foster teamwork and improve productivity. Additionally, having two new hires can help to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the department, which can lead to new and innovative approaches to problem-solving.
One of the biggest concerns that companies have when it comes to hiring new employees is retention. After all, it is costly and time-consuming to train new employees, so it is in the company’s best interest to retain them for as long as possible. Fortunately, studies have shown that hiring two people at the same time can actually improve retention rates. According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management, companies that hired two employees for the same position at the same time had a retention rate of 88%, compared to a retention rate of just 33% for companies that hired one employee for the same position.
There are several reasons why hiring two people at the same time can lead to higher retention rates. For one thing, having a colleague who is going through the same training and orientation process can help to reduce feelings of isolation and make new employees feel more welcome and supported. Additionally, having two new hires can help to spread out the workload and prevent burnout, which can be a major factor in employee turnover.
When I had my own boutique agency for about five years, I worked with a few sets of younger employees and could see them form a bond as they worked on projects together. While I went to client meetings to get new work, they worked on current projects, running ideas by each other. Nothing brought me greater joy than to hear ideas they had come up with in my absence.
In my opinion and experience, hiring two people at the same time for a department can be a smart move for any company. It can improve the quality of the candidates being considered, foster a more dynamic and collaborative work environment, and lead to higher retention rates. By taking this approach to hiring, companies can set themselves up for long-term success and build a strong and effective team that can help to drive the company forward.