5 Common Hiring Mistakes to Avoid
July 20th, 2010As a leading Northwest staffing firm, we know that great hires help you develop a strong and productive company. Bad hires, on the other hand, sap time, energy, and resources. So how can you prevent a poor hiring choice? By avoiding these five mistakes:
Mistake #1: Hiring someone for the wrong reasons.
This is a common mistake. But don’t hire someone because they are a friend of a friend or because you went to the same college together. Make sure you stay focused on hiring the very best candidate for the position.
Mistake #2: Overlooking candidates without advanced degrees.
It’s easy to be impressed by candidates who hold advanced degrees, however there’s no substitute for real world experience. So unless an advanced degree is crucial for the position, don’t overlook those candidates who don’t have a bunch of fancy letters after their name, but who do have a proven track record of success.
Mistake #3: Not checking references.
This is one easy step that too many companies fail to take. But by carefully checking references, you can help avoid hiring mistakes. One critical question to ask each reference: “If you could hire or work with the candidate again, would you?” Any hesitation is a telltale sign.
Mistake #4: Having a long, drawn out decision making process.
Hiring is a big deal and the last thing you want to do is make a bad hiring decision. However, if you told a candidate you’d be making a hiring decision by the end of the week, stick to your schedule. If you don’t, you’ll lose the respect of the candidate and gain a bad reputation in the process. So whether you’re ready to hire, or want to cut a candidate loose, it’s important to make a timely decision.
Mistake #5: Rushing the hiring process.
On the flip side, you don’t want to rush your hiring decision either. Before you start interviewing candidates, set a reasonable time schedule in which you’d like to complete first round interviews, invite a small group back for second interviews, and ultimately make your final hiring decision. It can be tempting to just “go with your gut” about a certain candidate, but a hiring mistake can be a nightmare if you don’t follow proper protocol and meet with at least 4 or 5 candidates first.
If you’re not feeling overly confident about your hiring abilities – or if you simply don’t have the time to put into sourcing, screening, interviewing, and recruiting – then it may be time to hire a staffing firm. Since 1994, Provisional has been the Northwest’s leader in specialized recruiting and staffing services, placing over 6,000 direct-hire professionals with companies in Seattle, Spokane, and Coeur d’Alene.
Contact us today. We’re ready to help you find the people you need.
