Finding the right employee can be a lengthy task, but with the recession showing no sign of easing it is more important than ever to ensure you have the best possible workforce. The key is not to rush the process and to look beyond experience.

It is always an easy option to hire the first person who walks through the door, but it is not always the most efficient. The amount of talented individuals applying for each job in the UK is astounding, so employers should adopt strategic recruitment methods to ensure a hidden gem does not slip through the net.

Firstly, one interview is not enough, and a telephone interview alone is certainly not enough. Meeting someone face-to face is essential to discovering if there is chemistry and what makes a certain individual tick. Second and third interviews with different people within your company will also allow an applicant to shine, especially as first-time nerves can sometimes get the better of people.

A more robust recruitment process also helps to ensure that you are the right company for the employee-in-waiting. It is a two-way relationship, and it can be counter-productive to employ someone whose heart is not in it. Coming into the workplace and meeting the team will allow them to envisage what working life will be like, and to see for themselves if it is the right place for them. This will ensure that two or three months down the line, you do not have to start looking all over again.

It is also easy for employers to filter down applicants via experience. However, battling in a competitive job market is tough, and many applicants will have previously settled for jobs that may not have been in line with their chosen career path. They should not be so easily overlooked. Skills are transferable and determination to get into their preferred field should be considered.

Academic performance is another area that seems to be a starting point with many employers embarking upon finding new recruits. Yet, we gloss over the fact that there are many successful men and women out there who did not necessarily get straight As and a first from Oxford. Yes, it is important, but it is not everything. Look beyond the statistics to the person. Can you envisage them working well within your company? Are they passionate about what you do?

With so many talented individuals in the UK hunting for their dream job, businesses have the opportunity to find a true diamond.