For already-stretched accounting departments, waiting a month for help might seem like an eternity. Yet, a recent survey found it can take at least that long for employers to hire for open positions. Chief financial officers interviewed said it takes an average of four weeks to fill a staff-level role and five weeks to bring a new manager on board.

1. Stay front and center. Don't delegate the hiring process. You know best what you want in an employee. Avoid delays or, worse, potential hiring mistakes by remaining closely involved in the process from beginning to end.
2. Stick to the game plan. Before résumés start coming in, develop a method for evaluating them consistently. Using the job description as a base, make note of key criteria you're looking for from applicants, and search for those same attributes in each résumé you receive.
3. Get help. Specialized recruiters can help you pinpoint your needs. And, their networks provide access to people you might not locate on your own, including professionals who might not be actively looking but would make a change for the right opportunity.
4. Don't delay. When you identify strong applicants, don't procrastinate. Top performers are in demand in any market. By moving too slowly, you risk losing your first choice – and extending the hiring process.

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