Hiring mistakes can be incredibly costly. Not only does it take up a lot of people’s time and energy, but putting the wrong person in an open position can also be a huge setback for the company. You could be putting your company culture, reputation, and work product at risk.
Unfortunately, some hiring mistakes are all too common. In this article, we will take a look at some of the biggest mistakes that are regularly made. By taking the necessary steps to avoid these pitfalls, you will greatly increase your chances of adding another star employee to your team roster.
Being too vague – or too specific
Writing a great job description is the first step to a great hire – it is also the first opportunity to make a big mistake. You need to be very clear about what a qualified candidate will look like in terms of background and experience. If you use vague language, you are likely to get a ton of unqualified applicants (giving you more unnecessary work). However, at the same time, by having too many specific requirements, there is a chance that the position will remain open indefinitely.
Not doing your due diligence
Maybe you have come across a resume or two that seem to match your position incredibly well. That is great, but do not move too fast! It is critical that you make sure that the candidate is not just saying that he or she has certain experience – take the time to give a test assignment so you can actually evaluate their work. You should also be sure to ask for references. By double-checking that their information is actually correct, you could be saving yourself a lot of heartache in the future.
Forgetting to use all your resources
Technology can do a lot of the hiring work for us nowadays. First off, you should not limit your search to just one or two outlets. If you do, you will be missing out on a lot of potential candidates. Social media can be a great way to find qualified candidates. You should also be using applicant tracking systems to scan resumes for keywords and help you stay organized. Your current employees can also be a great resource – do not forget to ask star team members for recommendations.
Of course, these are not the only hiring mistakes that are made. You could also have unconscious biases that come out in the interviewing process or focus too much on the technical requirements and forget to account for the company culture. That being said, by taking the steps to avoid the hiring mistakes above, you can make sure that you are evaluating the most qualified candidates for your position.
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