Everyone has trouble hiring good employees: This is a fact of business that has been around as long as people have thought about it. But when I ask a manager exactly what employee he or she is looking for, the most common answer I get is, “Someone good.”

What does this mean?

If you haven’t bothered to define the perfect person to fill a given job, how will you know when they come along? Most common answer: “I will just know.” Relying on your gut feelings will not take your company to the next level. However, defining your perfect employee for any given position will elevate your talent level, because you won’t have to dig through an interview, attempting to mold an applicant to your vague idea of someone who could do the job. You will already know what a great potential employee looks like for every position.

Like most things in life, some thought and planning will make the experience better. Talk with your current team before you begin the interview process; get their thoughts and ideas regarding a new coworker. Get help defining this person, then go out and get them. A little preparation will go a long way in making you more successful when it comes time to hire.