You probably receive dozens of resumes for every position you post. Of these, some applicants will clearly not be a good fit, but you’ll probably find at least a handful who seem to have what it takes. So, how do you decide which person to choose?
Up to 80% of employee turnover is caused by bad hiring decisions, according to the Harvard Business Review, so the pressure is on. Extending an offer to the wrong person can be detrimental to the future of your company, so don’t rush your decision.
4 Ways to Screen Candidates to Find the Best Fit
Follow these four techniques to find the right person for the job every time:
Ask Behavioral Questions
Inquiries requiring a simple “yes” or “no” response are essentially useless. Instead, focus on behavioral questions. These inquiries typically draw on past experiences, forcing candidates to deliver a response that offers a glimpse of their personality and fit for the job. For example, instead of asking if the person minds working under tight deadlines, ask them to describe a time in the past when they had to meet a tight deadline and how they made it work.
Make it a Team Effort
When interviewing a candidate on your own, it’s easy to accidentally overlook key indicators that the person might not be the best choice. However, if you involve a number of team members in the process, you can get a much more well-rounded opinion. If possible, invite the candidate to a team lunch, to get to know them in a more relaxed setting.
Call Every Reference
If you don’t call every single person on a candidate’s reference list, you’re missing out on a very important opportunity to learn more about them. References are people who have worked with the candidate in the past and can speak to their skills, work habits and personality. The information they share with you can be crucial to your decision, so always take the time to include this step in your hiring process.
Trust Your Gut
The one opinion you can always rely on is that of your gut. A candidate may appear flawless on paper and perfect in person, but if something don’t feel right, there’s probably a reason. If you go against your instincts, there’s a good chance you’ll regret your decision, so think twice before making any moves.
If you need a little help identifying the best candidate for the job, partner with PrideStaff North Dallas. We’re confident we can fill your temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire positions with leading candidates in the Greater Dallas Area.
