Choosing the right people to be part of your team, is vital for success. Not only for your department but also for the company. It can save time and cost, while it can contribute to the company’s overall performance. To hire a high performer, both the HR and the team leader play a key role.
What defines the right employee?
The right employee might vary from position to position and from company to company. They should fit the company’s culture, have a good connection with the line manager and get along well with the team. Even though these are not possible to certainly know ahead of hiring a new candidate, you must try and figure this out to the maximum during the interviews.
Hiring personality over skills
The people invited to the interview stage, might have some common skills in place required for the job, but they will definitely differ in personality. While skills, education and experience are the primary things to look at when choosing possible candidates for a job vacancy, personality is equally important. A person might tick all technical requirements but they might lack the soft skills needed to fit in the team, learn and develop.
What Exactly Are Soft Skills?
A good way for exploring the soft skills of an individual is through situational (scenario-based) interview questions.
Example questions:
‘What would you do in the case that you have read an email from one of your colleagues that made you angry’?
‘How would you manage your time to achieve a tight deadline’?
‘How would you handle a situation where you feel the project is not proceeding as it should’?
‘What would you do if you felt like your workload overwhelmed you. How would you manage it’?
Key things to notice
- Is this person, who ticks the box in all technical requirements, prompted to keep on learning and developing within the company?
- Do they have the communication skills needed to be part of a team and collaborate with others?
- Can they accept being wrong, admit their mistakes and find a better solution?
- Do they show that they will be committed to their job and the company?
Invest in your employees
Hiring a good employee is a strategic investment that can significantly impact a company’s success. By carefully assessing candidates’ skills, experience, and cultural fit, businesses can recruit individuals who not only contribute to their bottom line but also enhance their overall work environment. Remember, a well-matched employee is more likely to be engaged, productive, and loyal, ultimately leading to a more prosperous and fulfilling workplace for everyone involved.
