Are you frustrated with your candidate pool? Are you tired of hearing the same boring, rehearsed answers over and over again during interviews? Do you feel like you are looking for a candidate that just doesn’t exist? If so, your hiring practice needs a change.
I often hear from hiring managers that they struggle to find the “right” candidate. They have lists of qualifications, requirements and descriptions of what they are looking for. They interview dozens of candidates and can’t seem to find the right fit. The reason they keep having this issue is usually simple: they are making it too hard.
A lengthy list of qualifications will drastically narrow down your pool of candidates. Try cutting it back, having only 5-6 qualifications that are most critical for the position. When interviewing, throw away the scripted questions, aiming for a more organic conversation instead. Find candidates who are ready for the next step in their career, not ones who want to continue doing the same thing they’ve been doing. Look for candidates with potential, and invest in training them properly.
Finding the right candidate isn’t always easy, but don’t make it harder than it has to be. Go into it with an open mind and a fresh approach.
By Caitlin Mandeville | People Science Talent Advisor 1