Why the Best Job Candidates Are Hidden in Plain Sight Hiring the right person is key to the success of any business, And sometimes, the perfect fit is right in front of you.
By Joanna Knight Edited by Micah Zimmerman
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Hiring the right person is often considered a mystical art. So much time and resources are dedicated to this process — tests, checklists and more. However, the past year's events in the recruitment market have demonstrated that very few of us have succeeded. I won't pretend that we have always made the perfect hire, but through entering new markets, expanding rapidly, navigating through world events and dealing with other challenges, we have learned many lessons when hiring the right person.
Why do we all need to aim to hire the right person?
Your biggest and best asset in any business is your people. Therefore, it's crucial to aim for hiring the right person. Of course, you want the best, but you also want the best fit for your specific business needs. It's important to choose those individuals who, with the right support and guidance, will thrive and bring value to your organization. The process of selection, rather than recruitment. It involves finding the right match between an organization's requirements and the skills, qualifications and character of the individual, ultimately ensuring that the organization hires the right person with the right attitude.
We've all heard stories of bad hires and their negative impact on businesses, including decreased productivity and morale, not to mention the financial cost. Nobody wants to hire the wrong person for the job, but unfortunately, many do so daily. Are they settling for an endless recruitment cycle, or do they genuinely care about finding the right fit? Viewing people as individuals with unique personalities, skills and experiences is essential, rather than just numbers. People should be at the heart of everything a business does and the core of its culture and values. They should not be treated as numbers.
Related: Why You Should Stop Surrounding Yourself With (Only) Likeminded People
We need to look beyond the paper and discover the person
When finding the right person for a job, it's easy to get caught up in what looks good on paper. Just because someone's qualifications and experience seem to tick all the boxes, it doesn't necessarily mean they're the right fit for the role.
This is where CVs come in, and it's important to remember that they are sales tools designed to showcase a person's best qualities, so it's no surprise that many people exaggerate them. As such, instead of focusing solely on credentials, it's important to look beyond the paper and assess a candidate's fit with the company culture and values.
At Moneypenny, we're committed to creating a culture where people want to work. By prioritizing this value, we've attracted great people who fit in perfectly with our team. We're always looking for new talent and welcome anyone who shares our values to get in touch. By focusing on finding the right people for our business, rather than just the ones who look good on paper, we can build a strong team to achieve great things together.
A CV is a good starting point. It provides a foundation from which we can learn more about the person. When creating your job advertisement and qualifications checklist, it is important to include essential skills, but also consider adding points for creativity and proactivity. Expand your search to include individuals who may not meet all of the qualifications but show potential in other areas. Remember that skills can be taught, but attitude is more difficult to change.
Related: I Biohacked My Way to Better Mood, Sleep and Job Performance — and You Can, Too. Here's How.
The key to hiring right, however, is to take the time to get to know your potential hires. While it's fine to want someone who can do the job well, finding someone who brings new and unique ideas is often better. In today's constantly changing business world, resilience, innovation, creativity and agility are crucial for success. But can you tell if a candidate possesses these qualities just by reading their resume?
To truly know someone, you must look beyond their CV and focus on their fit with your business and values. This requires investing more time and effort in the hiring process and asking unconventional questions to uncover who they are. Ultimately, hiring the right person is key to the success of any business, so don't shy away from going the extra mile to find the perfect fit.
