A Hurried Hiring Decision May be Based Upon These Common Mistakes

By Jezabel Southard

Posted on June 28, 2013

When a top candidate leaves or company growth requires the creation of new positions, hiring managers may be tempted to hire the first promising-looking candidate in order to fill the opening quickly and keep short-term disruption to a minimum.

However, hiring hurriedly can cause more problems than it solves.  The old saying “marry in haste, repent at leisure” applies to hiring decisions as well.  Hiring quickly in order to address short-term pressures can result in hiring someone who isn’t a good fit for the firm’s culture or who lacks the initiative or focus needed to develop and improve key skills.

How are hurried hiring decisions made?  They’re often based on these four common mistakes:

1.       Hiring based strictly on past jobs.  A person with experience in the right positions in the past may be suited to the position for which you are hiring – or they may not.  Hiring strictly on the basis of past work overlooks key “soft skills” like communication and teamwork. It also ignores how well the candidate will fit into your company’s culture and ethics.

 2.       Hiring without properly training.  The learning curve in any new job is a steep one, but employers who fail to train new employees – even well-experienced ones – are setting themselves and their new hire up for unnecessary struggle and stress.  The need for a new candidate, no matter how pressing, should not eliminate dedication to proper training.

 3.       Failing to manage performance.  Top candidates share many common traits. One of them is the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks. However, merely because a candidate can self-manage does not mean that the candidate can or should be left without guidance, supervision, or feedback. Managing performance is key to finding and keeping a good hire.

 4.       Hiring a great candidate – for the wrong position.  A candidate may be a great fit for your organization and offer a stellar set of skills and experiences, yet still be a bad hire if the candidate is not right for the position.  A candidate who doesn’t fit well in a position may not stay long, or may have trouble handling the work itself.

The dedicated recruiting team at TERRA Staffing takes pride in being able to partner with clients to find the right person for their position.  We put great people in positions that fit them, and we can help you make a hiring decision you won’t regret. Contact us today to learn more!

Categories: HR and Management Advice, Staffing Tips & Recruiting Trends

Tags: Avoiding Poor Hiring Mistakes, Common Hiring Decision Mistakes, Hurried Hiring Decision Mistakes, Making Hiring Decision Mistakes, Portland Recruitment, Recruiting Agencies Portland, Recruiting Companies Portland, Top Recruiting Firms Portland Oregon

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