If you’re hiring right now, chances are you needed someone yesterday (or a month ago)! So it can be tempting to cut corners, especially if a candidate possesses highly sought-after skills.
Don’t do it! The cost of a bad hire – in terms of time, money, and impact on culture and morale – is generally more than going another week or month with an empty seat.
Stay focused, follow a process, and move as quickly as possible, but don’t settle on someone prematurely just because they have a sought-after skill.
- DO write an honest job description. It will help YOU get clear about your goals for the position and will help screen out potential applicants that wouldn’t be happy campers if hired.
- DO screening calls before investing time in a team interview – even if the person is recommended by a friend or other team member.
- DO check references – every time.
- DO develop a standard interview protocol to simplify comparison across candidates.
- DO get more than one opinion on every candidate. We all have blind spots.
- DO speak to a candidate more than once.
Still not sure? Give them a test drive as a contractor for 90 days.
What’s the best hiring advice you ever received? Feel free to drop me a note through the contact form or reach out on LinkedIn.
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