Hiring is an art, one that demands precision, patience and a discerning eye. However, in the intricate dance of recruitment, many employers inadvertently make hiring mistakes that can lead to a bad hire. These errors not only cost time and resources, but they can disrupt team dynamics and affect the bottom line.
But, how does one know how to hire the right person amidst the complexities of today's job market? The answer may lie in identifying and rectifying some of the most common hiring mistakes made by employers.
From the desperate urge to fill a vacancy, to vague job descriptions, misplaced job advertisements and an over-reliance on technical prowess - the pitfalls are numerous. And when decisions are made in haste or by untrained hands, the outcome can be a far cry from the ideal candidate.
Dive in as we unpack these seven critical hiring blunders, and arm yourself with the knowledge to avoid them. Because understanding these hiring mistakes is the first step in ensuring that your next hire is the right fit, not just another bad hire statistic.
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Every hiring decision is important, especially in smaller companies, where recruiting and hiring often require a significant investment of management’s time – and where one “bad apple” can have a ripple effect on overall productivity and company culture.
Below are seven reasons small businesses may make poor hiring decisions. By avoiding these pitfalls, your company improves its chances of finding the right workers and saving money in the long run.
When small businesses are growing fast, get a big customer order with a tight deadline or face some other urgent need that requires extra hands almost immediately, there’s often a temptation to simply get people into open slots now, even if they don’t meet all the company’s requirements. Beware: Mediocrity will not serve your company well in the long run.
To avoid desperation hiring, make it a habit to network regularly, keeping a list of and reaching out to qualified candidates when relevant roles open. Ask your employees for recommendations, too. People who already are performing well in your organization are likely to know others who would do the same.
Employers often start the hiring process without first figuring out the essentials of the job and writing a detailed job description. Before posting an open position, think about your ideal employee’s skills, experiences, attitude and character traits. Decide which skills are absolute and which others a top-quality employee could quickly learn.
When those decisions are made, write a detailed job description that clearly explains responsibilities and helps candidates visualize what it would be like to work for your company. If the job has specific criteria, such as being able to lift a certain weight or working evenings, include them in the job description.
From LinkedIn and Monster to industry association job boards, there are a lot of places to market openings in your organization. But if that’s not where your ideal candidate would look for a position, you’re wasting time and money.
Take time to understand how your top performers found your company. Talk to industry colleagues who have hired for similar positions and find out how they recruited their best workers. Then make sure you’re posting your job ads where the top qualifiers are likely to find them.
Bear in mind that your ideal candidates may already be working for you or may not be looking for a job at all. Consider reaching out to these individuals as part of your recruiting efforts.
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Want to know how to hire the right person? Don't discount attitude and culture fit.
A landmark Leadership IQ study revealed that 46% of new hires bust within 18 months – and that technical skills account for only 11% of those failures. In fact, motivational problems, lack of willingness to be teachable and other attitudinal issues were the reasons for new hires’ quick departures 89% of the time.
Unfortunately, many small businesses’ hiring practices still center only on assessing technical competency without considering job and organizational fit. As you screen resumes, recognize that a pattern of job-hopping may reveal someone who tends to be discontent at work. It’s not a hard-and-fast indicator, but it’s worth being aware of if you intend to interview the applicant.
In interviews, ask questions designed to discern the candidate’s attitudes, such as:
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Making snap decisions on an early candidate before casting the net widely gets a warm body in a seat fast, but also increases the risk of making a bad hire. On the other hand, dragging out the process increases the chances your preferred candidate will tire of waiting and accept a position somewhere else.
A well-planned hiring process that doesn’t cut corners is the only way to ensure you know how to hire the right person. It can and should move at a steady pace while still ensuring a broad range of candidates are screened and carefully interviewed.
A CareerBuilder survey showed nearly three in four employers have made a bad hire. That's a lot! So, what goes wrong during the selection process that results in hiring the wrong people? It might be a result of untrained interviewers. After all, good interviewers aren’t born; they’re trained.
Team members who will interview candidates need to understand how to avoid illegal interview questions and unconscious bias and know how to get to the heart of the candidate, which may include behavioral interviewing skills.
Training should teach them how to follow a defined process that allows candidates to be evaluated fairly and equally, including asking certain competency and attitude questions of all interviewees.
Training further prepares interviewers to provide a great candidate experience and anticipate and respond appropriately to questions interviewees may ask about the work environment, company culture or a typical day in the job.
Remember, candidates are evaluating whether they want to work for your company. So, if each one leaves with a positive impression, your top choice will be more inclined to accept your offer.
An all too common hiring mistake is foregoing reference checks. According to the Monster Future of Work: 2021 Outlook survey, 66% of recruiters agree that candidates exaggerate skills and competencies on their resumes. Research also suggests about 50% of resumes contain outright lies.
Background and reference checks help you uncover and weed out any resume cheaters that may be among your group of preferred candidates.
Knowing how to hire the right person involves avoiding the common hiring mistakes that result in a bad hire. The recruiting and selection process is time-consuming and costly–but getting it right makes the investment worthwhile.
Steering clear from these hiring pitfalls will help unlock selection success and ensure your next new hire not only fits the job but also enhances your organization’s culture.
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Finding the right employees is crucial for the success of any company. Don't let hiring mistakes hinder your growth. Partner with Axcet HR Solutions, the leading Kansas PEO and HR outsourcing company, to ensure you make the right hiring decisions every time.
Contact us today and let us help you build a talented and high-performing team that drives your business forward. Don't settle for less when it comes to your workforce – choose Axcet HR Solutions for expert HR support and recruitment guidance.
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