If you’ve ever made a hiring mistake, then you know how painful it can be. It can lead to lost productivity, reduced morale – and a host of other issues…not mention expenses.
But if you’ve been burned in the past, the good news is that there are steps you can take in the future to avoid hiring mistakes and gain peace of mind when you bring a new employee on board. Start by avoiding these 4 common regrets:
1. Focusing too much on likability. “We really like him/her.”
As one of the leading staffing agencies in Phoenix, PrideStaff can tell you when you’re hiring, it’s important to keep in mind you’re not hiring friends. While you need to be able to get along with the person, just because you connect with them on a personal level doesn’t mean they are best suited for the job.
Practical tip: If you click with a candidate and it’s clouding your judgment, then get an objective viewpoint from others within the company before making a hiring decision.
2. Not hiring for attitude. “He/she had all the right skills.”
When a candidate has an impressive track record of strong technical skills, it’s easy to assume they’ll be a good fit for the position. But alas, that’s not the case.
A candidate can be the most experienced and have the sharpest skill set; however, it doesn’t mean they are the right fit for your company. When hiring, it’s vital to go beyond technical skills – and assess soft skills and attitude.
Practical tip: Conduct personality testing to ensure the candidate has the traits necessary to thrive within your company. Also, be sure to ask questions – such as “describe your ideal work environment” – that enable you to get a clear sense of whether or not a candidate would get along well within the company.
3. Asking for references…but not checking them. “We didn’t have time.”
Even if it’s only to verify the basic information, like employment dates and job titles, always check references. There are too many desperate or dishonest candidates out there who fudge the truth in order to get hired. If a candidate can’t even be honest about when they started at a company, then you can’t believe anything they’re saying in a job interview.
Practical tip:Don’t ask questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, ask open-ended questions when checking references so you can learn as much about the candidate as possible.
4. Not conducting skills testing. “They ‘said’ they had the skills to do the job.”
Testing takes time. But it’s time well spent. When you test a candidate’s skills, you have a chance to see them in action – and verify they are in fact qualified for the job. You can use any number of testing options, from work simulations to computer tests to assigning a small project – whatever is best for your situation.
Practical tip: Be sure to choose the right tests for your needs and ensure they meet all EEO laws.
Need more help avoiding hiring mistakes in the future?
Call PrideStaff. As one of the leading staffing agencies in Phoenix, we can reduce your risk of hiring regrets – and help you recruit and retain skilled, dependable and trustworthy employees.
Contact PrideStaff today to learn more about how we can help you.
