DON’T PLACE EMPHASIS ON EXPERIENCE IN YOUR HIRING DECISIONS

Experience is not the most important factor to consider when hiring for most positions. In fact experience is a trailing indicator when it comes to predicting future success much like profits are a trailing indicator for corporate success. If you stop placing so much emphasis on experience in your hiring decisions you will start seeing less staff turnover and a more profitable company.

Consider the fact that most failures and job terminations occur because of attitudes and behaviors. Since that is the case wouldn’t it be more important to look at values, attitudes, and behaviors in assessing a job candidate?

If you look only at experience you might have too narrow a focus. I have noticed that those running businesses believe that their industry is different from others, so unique that the primary requirement is experience. Because of that mindset I have seen many bad candidates hired and many qualified candidates screened out. The hiring manager is using the assumption that as long as the candidate has previous experience in the industry or job that the candidate will be a success in the hiring manager’s job.

In my work with organizations I have found that experience in the industry is NOT a predictor of success. In fact, I have seen it become a detriment when people are so ingrained with the past that they are rigid and not looking forward. And this is exactly where businesses and hiring managers are missing great opportunities to differentiate themselves from their competition.

I was pleasantly surprised recently when I found a job advertisement for a position at a multi-unit restaurant company. The advertisement listed the following qualifications; energetic, forward thinking, creative, high ethical standards, excellent communicator, strategic visionary, good educator, excellent negotiator, decisive, big picture perspective. This restaurant has big plans and wants out of the box thinking. Would out of the box thinking help you in your business as well?

Here are five qualities you should consider when selecting an employee:

Confidence and Self Belief – You need to believe in yourself and your ability. You need to have passion for what you are doing. It is important to have the emotional intelligence and emotional stability to take criticisms and setbacks.

Creativity – If it is important to have empowered and engaged employees then you need to have employees with curiosity and creativity. This quality in employees can help your company become a leader.

Communication Skills – Communication includes written, verbal, non-verbal (body language), good listening and ability to connect by making sure that messages are understood.

Shared Values – Many employment situations fail because the employee does share the company’s values. Make clear your company’s vision, values, and mission.

Empathy (Ability to build relationships) - It is essential for sales but, really, we are all really in the business of influencing others. The ability to build relationships and work as a team is essential to that process.

You can learn whether a candidate has these qualities though effective interviewing and with the aid of assessment tools. If you are looking for high quality employees why not start thinking out of the box and stop using experience as a primary requirement. You will be pleased with the results.

Learn how you can use out of the box thinking to create high performing teams.

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