Good help is hard to find.  Business Managers are no exception to this rule.  It's a complex role to fill.  You need someone with technical expertise, who'll have good rapport with clients.  Your Business Manager needs to do all that while keeping an eye on the bottom line.  How can you figure out who will be a good fit from just an interview?  Here are some tips:

• First impressions.  Candidates for the position should be trying to impress you.  First impressions are key.  The candidate you pick should be professional and courteous throughout the interview.  Remember, the first impression you get is the same impression your customers will get.  The manager you hire will be representing your dealership.  A good experience could lead to repeat customers.

• Problem solving skills. A good Business Manager needs to solve problems.  Try the following to assess problem solving ability:

• Ask candidates about the biggest challenge they've faced in their career.  Get as many details as possible around how they overcame that challenge.
• Present a difficult problem that you've seen at your dealership to your candidate.  Ask him or her to walk you through solving it.  Push for as many details as possible so you can get a real sense of the candidate's problem-solving process. 

• Follow up.  A Business Manager needs to do a lot of following up.  Keep an eye out for candidates who follow up with you after an interview.  A follow up or thank you email after an interview shows that the candidate can take initiative, and that they care about the position.  It shouldn't be a deal breaker if you don't get a thank you or follow up from a good candidate, but it's definitely a plus.

Unfortunately, there's no one proven way to hire the perfect person for any position.  It's all about finding someone you think can be a good fit for the role, and a good fit for your team.  It's probably a good idea to get some help if you're struggling.  Contact us to learn how we can provide you with expert recruiting help.