How To NOT FAIL Interviewing Candidates
As you venture into the wilds of employee recruitment, here are 6 well-tested compasses to guide you through the interview wilderness, ensuring you find the perfect candidate for your team.
Hunting for Personality Fit
Venture past the mountain of technical skills and dive deep into the ocean of a candidate’s personality traits and behavioral patterns. Like a well-oiled engine needs more than just gasoline to run smoothly, you need more than hard skills to ensure your new hire will complement your team. Emotional intelligence and behavioral patterns can be the secret sauce that makes your team sizzle. So, put on your detective’s hat and ensure you know the personality type required for the role. This isn’t just a hire, it’s a match-making endeavor.
Fishing for Passion
You’re not just looking for a competent sailor, but one who relishes the storm as well as the calm. Finding a candidate with a burning passion for your work and culture can be as rewarding as finding a four-leaf clover in a field of grass. One Gallup study revealed that only 13% of employees felt truly passionate about their work; avoid the duds and look for those who are ready to soar. You’re not just filling a position, you’re lighting a beacon to attract those who love what you do.
Scouting for Future
Success Past performance may be a good road map, but it’s not a crystal ball. Past achievements can be as deceiving as a mirage in the desert when predicting future success. You wouldn’t bet on a horse that only won races on sunny days, would you? Dig deeper into their potential, and don’t rely solely on their resume as your treasure map.
Seeking the Complete Package
Selecting a candidate based solely on one aspect is like judging a meal by one ingredient. A great interview performance doesn’t always indicate a great employee, just like a great frosting doesn’t guarantee a tasty cake. When it comes to appearance, remember, you’re hiring an employee, not a fashion model. Even a top chef can cook in pajamas. So, look at the bigger picture, and remember, even Michael Jordan might misspell ‘basketball’ on his resume.
Hiring with a Grain of Salt
Resumes can be as tricky as a magician’s hat, and not everything that comes out of it is a cute, fluffy bunny. They are entirely self-reported and can often contain as many tall tales as a fisherman’s diary. Use them as a tool but remember, they are just one piece of the puzzle. Dive deeper and probe with open-ended questions. After all, the best way to find hidden treasure is to keep digging.
Recruiting with Team Spirit
Teamwork makes the dream work, even when it comes to interviewing. Get more eyes on the case, more perspectives, and ward off any blind spots. Two heads are better than one, and three or more can be a veritable brain trust when it comes to spotting the ideal candidate. A team effort in recruitment can be as fruitful as a well-coordinated orchestra producing a symphony. So, share the recruiting love and remember, you’re not just hiring an employee, you’re adding a new member to your work family.
In the end, remember that hiring is not just about filling a vacancy. It’s about finding the right puzzle piece that fits perfectly into your team’s jigsaw. So put on your explorer hat, prepare your map, and get ready to navigate the wild and wonderful terrain of the recruitment process.
As the CEO of Nxt Level, I am constantly learning about all things talent acquisition in a diverse variety of industries. I love sharing what I've learned along the way and sharing "fails" to help colleagues avoid the "falls." If you're seeking unparalleled hiring solutions, let's chart a course to the NXT LEVEL, together. Reach out to me at [email protected].