Do you have friends who you sincerely enjoy, but that you would not want working for you? I do....
One of the least favorite things I can hear from a client during the screening process, and before we have assessed the candidate is, "I really like this person.... I mean I really like this person" and then go on to tell me how "nice" they are, how easy they are to get along with, how funny they are, etc.
Understand it is all very well to get along well with people in general, rapport is important, but when assessing and interviewing it is of paramount importance to remain as objective as you possibly can throughout the process. It is so easy to be swayed by emotion but please always keep in mind, the goal is to hire the best candidate for the position and this may in some cases not be the one that you personally "like" the best.
Howard Adamsky said it well, "Recruiting is not a profession that lends itself well to cronyism as it colors one’s judgment" and many candidates, although they are likable people, will not be a successful fit for the work you need them to do.
Set the standard and then hold the course. You won't regret it three months later.
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