Hiring new employees is a complex process. Sourcing qualified candidates, conducting interviews, narrowing down the pool, and choosing the right person for the role can take up to several weeks.
However, sometimes the candidate that had a great resume, passed interviews with flying colors, and seemingly ticked every box fails to hit targets, causes disruption in the team, and simply underdelivers in every area.
This scenario is not that uncommon. Despite all the consequences of making a bad hire, it’s a mistake made all too often; a staggering 80% of employee turnover is due to bad hiring decisions.
In this article, we explore the five most common hiring mistakes and how to avoid making them.
To attract top talent, job descriptions must be well-written and enticing. It is important to highlight the best perks and advantages the employees enjoy. However, it’s also crucial to remain honest, transparent, and straightforward.
A good job description is what attracts candidates with the right qualities and abilities needed to get the job done. It is recommended to make it more than just a list of duties and describe the role in terms of its overall purpose. Also, companies should make sure not to “oversell” the position and lead candidates into thinking that it offers more opportunities than it does.
It’s not uncommon for employers to create an image of the perfect candidate for a certain position. So, they pack their job ads with required qualities, including attributes that are not essential for the job. Even though every company wants to have people with the best skills, asking for too much can push away a candidate that is truly a good fit for the role, but doesn’t match the job description perfectly.
Employers should carefully reconsider the requirements for the role they are looking to fill. If there are no suitable candidates, then a company should lower the requirements for the job. For example, if a company is looking for a candidate with certain skills and specialist training, it could be a good idea to choose a candidate who doesn’t have the training but does have the needed skills and provide the training during the onboarding process.
One of the most common hiring mistakes is rushing to fill a position without properly evaluating the job requirements or whether the person is the right fit. Even though it may seem that hiring somebody is better than hiring nobody, you may miss vital information that could prove costly later while trying to speed through the process.
Take your time when considering applications, spend some time interviewing the candidates and make sure that the candidate’s skill set aligns with the company. Companies are encouraged to go for the second round of interviews if needed. The more the choice is based your choice on factors such as adequate skills and seniority, the greater the chances are that you’ll make the right choice.
It is recommended to take time to make a hiring decision. However, taking too much time is one of the hiring mistakes that can cost a company a great candidate. When a company starts the interview process, it is important to complete it as soon as possible. Otherwise, it risks losing a candidate to another company.
Deliberating over candidates too long or letting too much time lapse between communications with applicants could mean missing out on top talent. It is recommended to set a reasonable deadline for making the hiring decision and sticking to it.
Skills, abilities, and experience are very important and many companies base their hiring decisions on these criteria. However, just because a candidate has all the skills to get the job done, it doesn’t mean that they’ll thrive in a company’s culture.
Apart from assessing the required skill set, it is also essential to find out whether the candidate has the right attitude to fit in with the team. Make sure the candidate you choose can commit to upholding the values you deem most important.
Hiring can be a time-consuming and expensive business. By avoiding these six hiring mistakes, you can increase your chances of choosing the most suitable candidate for your team.
Are you struggling with your hiring process? Do you need to quickly fill a position? Or, maybe you need help finding top talent? Popcorn Recruiters got you covered!
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