The hiring process can be rigorous for both employer and applicant. With so many questions to ask, so many people to vet and so much research on both ends, it’s an arduous process that only feels fully completed when you can finally land on someone who seems like the best possible choice out of the scores of applicants.
Landing on that right person for the job is tough enough, so weeding out the good and the bad is the risk/reward duty of the interview process and the employer. There can be a lot to dissuade and a lot to persuade in choosing someone, so it’s good to know the good and the bad of finding a good candidate for a job. Here are some key factors to consider.
Lack of Experience Isn’t Always a Deal Breaker
Experience is an asset, which many job applications state, while some say it is a requirement. It is a good idea to not get too hung up on this part because there are a lot of gifted, eager, and talented applicants who have not had the time in the workforce to acquire all of the experience needed. It’s more important to find experience in crucial skills related to the job, like the use of tools or software, as well as other unorthodox examples of experience like life experience. The perfect candidate is not someone who checks off every box, but one who can reach their potential in due time.
Background is Hazy or Has Red Flags
While experience should not be mandatory for the right applicant, a must is a good background and one that isn’t questionable or concerning. A dbs check is a type of background check to determine any criminal activity or warnings, and many places have these kinds of resources to ensure that an applicant is legally qualified. Besides that, there are tools to do background on social media presence and other information to check out. Similarly, it’s good to do this before an interview process to see what they say and whether their account of their background or past is in fact truthful.
Confidence (or Lack Thereof) Is Noticeable
How people carry themselves is a good way to determine if they are going to be a good match for the job. Confidence is a major skill to have that takes years to develop. Lacking confidence is just as noticeable, and in the interview process, you can tell when someone is timid or unsure, as well as self-doubtful. Downplaying their skills or being cautious with how they are perceived may be a sign that they aren’t yet ready to handle the job they are applying for, while confidence is a good sign they are up for the challenge. However, it is good to note that overconfidence could be a sign of someone thinking they’re punching well above their weight.
Interview Process Feels Choreographed
As you can obviously tell, and from your past experiences, finding the right applicant is not easy and the interview process is a defining factor because it gives you time to meet face to face with the person behind the CV. A good interviewee is always prepared, dressed appropriately, and follows key steps like proper posture, eye contact, and speaking habits. A surprisingly bad interview isn’t one where someone shows up looking like they rolled out of bed, but one that feels overly choreographed and planned. Following generic phrases and using vague answers is a sign that they are not prepared and are just doing what they were told, rather than being themselves, which could be a sign of a less than unique applicant.
Provide Limitations On What They Expect
Every job has requirements that you might not want to do but will do because you understand your role and the needs of the employer. Some applicants will make it abundantly clear that they won’t be doing certain tasks, which is a red flag that they are setting up barriers and expecting something they are comfortable with. There are limitations on what to expect, but when they provide concrete no answers for many simple tasks, they aren’t the one.
Appear Knowledgeable About The Job and Employer
Leaving on a high note is an applicant that has done their research on the job, its responsibilities, and the employer themselves. A go-getter of an applicant is one that is knowledgeable, even before the interview, and has made it clear that they know what they are looking for and why they have come to you to find it. This is a sign of an applicant that is hirable.
The hiring process is long and difficult for everyone involved because it requires countless hours of preparation and consideration, but with these key factors to consider, you can feel confident that you will find the right applicant.