Let’s set the scene. There you are, waiting. As a figure approaches, you notice a too-wide smile that doesn’t reach their eyes. They’re impeccably dressed, but it doesn’t feel genuine. There’s a secret here. What could it be? They continue toward you, hand extended. Smile pasted on. You’re filled with hesitation and a tingle of anxiety, but you must be brave. You take a deep breath. You’ve been here before. You are a professional, after all, and you understand your mission: to uncover the truth of this individual. You must see behind the charisma, the tailored clothing, the friendly smile, and determine what lies beneath. You ask yourself: can I trust this person? Will they be able to carry about the critical responsibilities required of them? You remind yourself that while your gut instinct is often helpful, it’s not the right way to approach this particular scenario. In short, you must figure out if this person will be as fabulous tomorrow as they are today.
Terrifying, right? What if you get it wrong? There’s a lot against you and it’s your job to uncover the truth. Your entire company depends on you making the right decision. Job applicants are eager and on their best behavior, naturally. They want to present the best versions of themselves. Whether it’s the impeccable way they dress, their contagious charisma, or their uncanny ability to answer every question you ask in the clearest and most concise manner, they’ve put substantial effort into this “costume” of sorts.
Making it even more difficult for you (the hiring manger and hero of this story) to decern if they “really are” as polished as their resume, professional cover letter, and meticulous interview prep. Now if that doesn’t evoke an image of a Halloween scream and hair turned white standing on end, let’s dive into it a little more. What’s the worst that can happen if you “go with your gut” and hire them on instinct?
Well, maybe not. Your gut may be spot on. Or not – you could be joining a large group of hiring managers who have relied on their gut and made the wrong decision at least once. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 74% of employers admit having hired the wrong person for an opening. That same survey notes that the average cost of a bad hire is nearly $15,000, while losing a good hire cost on average $30,000.
Why is that second statistic important? As Apollo Technical puts it in their article “The Cost of a Bad Hire and Red Flags to Avoid (2021), “one bad apple ruins the bunch, as they say. When all of your team members work together and focus on the same missions, goals, and values, your company can be productive and get things done. On the other hand, if there is one unproductive and undedicated employee, they can bring down the entire work environment while having a negative impact on your bottom line.”
Unfortunately, many hiring managers don’t realize they have a bad employee until it’s too late, after they’ve lost money and seen employee morale plummet.
So, the candidate looks great on paper, and you invite them to an interview. You have your process in order, you’ve adjusted for the pitfalls of the past, and you’re ready to meet face-to-face (in-person or virtual). What are some red flags for a stellar (on paper) candidate?
No two candidates are the same. Every person on your team will learn differently, thrive in a different environment, respond differently to various communication and management styles, and be motivated by different things.
The problem is that a candidate’s resume won’t give you these insights, and it can take months or even years on the job for you to uncover them on your own. In the meantime, your employees will be frustrated and less engaged if they aren’t in a role that truly aligns with their personality and skills or have to work under a manager who doesn’t understand how to motivate them.
The Omnia Team is here to help. We offer assistance throughout the process beginning with writing job postings, conducting pre-hire assessments and providing support in using these assessments to leverage team dynamics and professional development beyond hiring and through the entire employee life cycle. To make it easy for you, all of our assessments come with a set of interview questions based on the position and the person’s assessment responses.
Following these steps, and using our resources will help you avoid that dark, deserted hallway and a scary hire.
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