Seasoned hiring managers will tell you that it's much harder to coach behavioral issues than it is to teach someone the technical aspects of the job. — Amy Gallo
Skills can be learned. Behaviors, on the other hand, are much more difficult and many times impossible to change. Especially when you’re requiring change from someone other than yourself, you really have no control.
When hiring always remember:
Do:
- Take the time to create clear and accurate job descriptions. I love job descriptions that identify what percentage of time an employee will spend on each aspect of the work to be done. This enables me (as an assessment provider) to be sure that we are measuring accurately the behaviors necessary for a successful job fit.
- Use hiring assessments combined with interview questions to uncover the drivers (motivators and behaviors) behind the candidate's past and future behavior. There are times when someone will have been extremely successful in the past, excellent résumé, etc., but because of personal or professional “issues” they may not be able to perform at their previous level at this time. Behavioral assessments can clue you in to any disconnect a person might be experiencing…and trust me, you do not want to hire a behavioral disconnect!
- Provide the new hire with early and clear feedback about his / her performance.
Don't:
- Put technical skills over relational (behavioral) ones.Technical skills can be taught / behaviors and relational skills are much more difficult to change.
- Jump to conclusions on a new hire’s fit. Immediately moving an inadequate performer to termination without first considering coaching is jumping to conclusions. Instead address concerns with them and identify any areas that they need more help with or training on. Or, consider the option of transferring them to a position that would fit their preferred motivators or behaviors better. (E.g. someone who is adept at “sales” and connecting with clients might find the administrative part of managing others to be frustrating.)
- Be afraid to adjust people and / or the position’s level of responsibility if appropriate or necessary.
I think hiring is one of the most difficult jobs for most managers. You are asked to make decisions that impact not only the success of the workforce, but also the company as a whole. Use all the tools you have at your disposal, add a dose of common sense and you’ll do fine.
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