Provisional Blog

You’ll never find him. That’s right. You’ll never find the absolute 100% perfect job candidate. As one of the Northwest’s leading staffing firms, Provisional can tell you he does not exist. He is a figment of your imagination.

Here’s what you will find – highly talented and professional candidates that come from a range of backgrounds and that can offer diverse value to your organization. That said, none of them will be perfect. So it’s time to give that pipe dream up.

And if you don’t, then you could really be sabotaging the hiring process and hurting your company’s bottom line to boot. In fact, the quest for perfectionism can cause procrastination and result in an inability to make a hiring decision…even when you desperately need to hire.

So how can you avoid the drawbacks of perfectionism, while still sourcing and hiring a quality job candidate? Here’s a look:

1. Take a Look at Past Successes & Failures.

Think about who has held the position before and what strengths helped them to succeed in it – and in the company, as well. For those who didn’t fare so well, evaluate “why” so you can avoid making the same mistake again in the future.

2. Make a List of “Must Haves.”

Make a list of the top four or five “must have” qualities or skills you require in a candidate. These can include anything from strong computer skills, to excellent interpersonal skills, to several years of experience under their belt. These are the traits and/or qualifications you are not willing to compromise on.

3. Make a List of “Nice to Haves.”

Next, list a few of the “nice to have” skills and traits that you’d like to see, but that aren’t absolutely essential.

4. Ask for a Second Opinion.

When in doubt, it’s always best to get a second opinion on a candidate. Put together a small team of trusted employees or colleagues to help during the interview process. These should be people who are qualified to evaluate a candidate’s skill level or who would be working alongside the candidate.

The benefit of having more than one person involved is that they may ask questions you didn’t think of and unearth valuable information, as a result. That said, don’t employ an entire hiring committee and take six months to make a decision.

At the end of the day, hiring a new employee is a major investment. There’s a lot riding on making the right decision, so you want to take the time to make sure you hire well. But don’t let a perfectionist mentality hinder you and leave you unable to hire because you can’t find the perfect candidate. Remember: he doesn’t exist.

Want More Help Hiring Quality Candidates?

You’ve come to the right place. As one of the Northwest’s leading staffing firms, Provisional has placed more than 6,000 direct hire professionals with the region’s top employers since 1994. Let us help you too. Contact Provisional today to get started.