This is a subscriber-only article.

For a limited time, join Entrepreneur+ and save 50% during our Cyber Monday sale. Use code SAVE50.

Join Now

Already have an account?

Sign in
Entrepreneur Plus - Short White
For Subscribers

Here's How to Interview Employees, and Find the Perfect Fit Stop focusing on a potential employee's resume and achievements.

By Adam Bornstein

This story appears in the May 2017 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »

Ivan Canu

Editor's note: Have a question about running your business? Email helpme@entrepreneur.com, and our columnist, Pen Name Consulting founder and New York Times best-selling author Adam Bornstein, may answer it in an upcoming issue of Entrepreneur magazine.

Q: I run a small business and need to hire in order for us to grow. What's the best approach for bringing on the right people? -- Shane, Toronto

A: Shane, the strength of your team is the strength of your business. But the opposite is also true -- hiring the wrong people can pull down your operation and cost you money. When I was in the corporate world, I tried to buy an all-star team. I focused mostly on résumés and achievements. It didn't work out too well. Later, when I started my own business, I couldn't afford to buy that kind of team. That forced me to focus on the bigger, tougher question: What actually makes a good employee?

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business Plans

She Wrote An 'Escape Plan' to Quit Her Job and Move to an Island. Now She's There Generating Nearly $300,000 A Year

"My detailed, step-by-step plan on how I would quit my job and move to a Caribbean island."

Business Plans

How You Can Use the 80/20 Rule to Unlock Success and Maximize Your Impact

Our success is determined by where we focus our efforts.

Business News

Google Is Mass Deleting Accounts This Week — Here's How To Make Sure Yours Is Safe

The company is reportedly removing inactive accounts on December 1.

Business Ideas

Free Webinar | December 5: How to Capitalize On Your Good Ideas

Stop letting your good ideas go to waste — get the blueprint for transforming ideas into brands with renowned entertainment mogul and entrepreneur, Clinton Sparks. Register now →