The back office in any type of business operation has to do with various types of support capacities within the company structure, including administrative duties such as accounting and record keeping of different types, personnel management and support, and even customer support. These and other functions are considered essential to the overall operation, but are not directly involved in the sales effort or the management of risk or the oversight of the company’s information technology systems. When considering the task of back office recruitment, there are several steps that will be common in just about any business setting, including defining the responsibilities associated with the open position. Other key factors include the combination of formal education and experience necessary to carry out those responsibilities, and the chances that a given applicant will fit into the corporate culture.
When engaging in back office recruitment, one of the first considerations is to make sure the duties and responsibilities associated with the position are clearly defined. Failure to do so makes it harder to attract qualified employees, and even harder to maintain their interest once they discover the job description is somewhat nebulous. Always define the tasks required before attempting to recruit for the position, and the response will be more likely to include the ideal new hire.
In addition, set specific expectations for education and experience. Depending on the nature of the open position, a great deal of education may be required. At other times, years of experience in a similar position may be the key. By determining the ideal mix of education and experience required for the job, the task of back office recruitment is further simplified, allowing human resource managers and others involved in the hiring process to focus attention primarily on candidates who meet those qualifications.
Make sure to consider personality and people skills when engaging in back office recruitment. In many corporate settings, employees who labor in back office responsibilities work very closely with each other and sometimes with clients in some type of support capacity. Test likely applicants to make sure they are capable of interacting with others in a professional and amiable manner. Doing so will reduce the incidence of situations arising that damage customer relationships and create tension in the workplace. Back office recruitment is at its best when the final selection involves a new employee who has the right skill set, the ideal educational background, and a proven record of being able to work well with others.
