Hiring for Potential

When considering candidates for your open positions, it’s easy to compare apple to apples. When it comes down to how they look on paper, pulling out the candidates who are lacking necessary skills helps hone down the pool. However, how do you choose when your candidates are equally skilled and are possessing the talent requirements to fulfill your need?

Have you considered potential and growth possibilities?
When choosing your next employee, determine what their goals are. Aptitude tests and personality tests can help you determine if your candidate is the “right fit.” Sitting down with your applicants and seeing what motivates them: ambition, unselfish goals, the desire to improve the overall company, not just their own personal stake. These are all traits you should be considering during the interviewing process.

Are they willing to learn?
Have they reached the educational max? Not necessarily talking about returning to school to earn their MBA, but are they willing to put the work in to earn an additional trade certification if it means the potential for job growth? Will they attend a safety seminar without complaint and apply those points learned into everyday interactions. The question shouldn’t be whether your employees and leaders have the right skills, it should be whether they have to potential to learn new ones. Adaptability and being flexible are both traits which will help your team continue to grow and develop, along with your company.

Often employers find themselves in the situation where they hire based on skills and qualifications only… only to find motivation and passion weren’t there. When there is no motivation to be successful for the company, the employee loses interest and essentially is only going through the motions.

When you are in a rush to fill a position, it is easy to base your decision based on those skills, qualifications and what “looks good on paper.” But in your haste, don’t forget to make sure your candidate will be a good cultural fit, is motivated and will work hard for your business. Finding that candidate who isn’t only working for a paycheck, but is working for self-improvement, the overall good of the company and his or her co-workers. Those are all signs of a true leader and a solid, smart new hire.

For information as to how temporary staffing can help you fill your employment needs with qualified candidates, contact Custom Staffing today.