In a perfect world, you’d interview a few candidates, make a decision, and seamlessly integrate your new hire into the company. In reality, hiring is a lot more complicated than that.
For starters, many candidates aren’t really who they appear to be when they’re interviewing. Sure you have all the “facts” in terms of where they worked, their job titles, and their educational background. But what about competency, personality, drive, and work ethic? As leading Kansas City recruiters, Morgan Hunter knows it can be a challenge to ascertain what’s being presented to you vs. what the truth is.
So how can you determine if a candidate is really a good fit for your needs – and how can you make a smart hiring decision as a result? Here are 5 signs to look out for that a candidate is the real deal:
Sign #1: They ask smart questions.
A candidate shouldn’t be wasting your time asking basic questions they can find answers to on your website. They should be asking specific questions about the challenges your company is facing, your expectations for the job, and what the working environment is like.
Sign #2: They can adapt quickly.
Regardless of your industry or the kind of position you’re hiring for, today’s world is changing fast. To succeed in this kind of rapidly evolving environment, you need people who can adapt quickly. To determine whether a candidate is adaptive, ask questions about how they’ve been able to grow, evolve, and change gears in the past.
Sign #3: They’re eager to learn.
When interviewing candidates, look for those with passions, hobbies and interests, even if it’s outside their career. When a candidate shows strong interests, it’s an indication that they’re enthusiastic learners, which can translate into a shorter learning curve and a willingness to take on new challenges once on the job.
Sign #4: They’re collaborators.
Certainly there are brilliant candidates out there that tend to be lone wolves. However, in today’s business environment, having people who are highly collaborative drives productivity. This means you should be looking for candidates who are team players and have strong interpersonal skills.
Sign #5: They can admit to mistakes.
We learn by making mistakes. And a smart candidate will be able to walk away from missteps with lessons learned and greater insight. But if a candidate can’t offer you single example of a mistake they made, or a lesson they learned as a result, then it could be an indication that they’re a) not self aware or b) not willing to take chances. Not good either way.
Need More Help Finding Your Ideal Candidate?
Give Morgan Hunter a call. As leading Kansas City recruiters, we will work with you to learn about your company, its culture, and your hiring needs. We’ll then be able to source, screen, and recommend candidates that are a great fit for you. Contact us today to learn more about our proven approach to hiring.