- Avoid candidates who don’t listen. If they can’t listen to you, they will never get hired.
- Avoid candidates who don’t have emotional intelligence. They will get the job but they won’t keep it, and it won’t be because of a toxic company.
- Avoid candidates who don’t seem excited about the job. If they don’t show excitement to you, they won’t show it to the employer.
- Avoid candidates who are inappropriate. We are not looking for manners here but rather basic civility and professionalism. If they don’t have this, move on.
- Avoid candidates who only have academic degrees or experience. This is not enough to be successful. Ask candidates how they overcame a tough issue at work, and listen to their creativity and sensitivity.
- Avoid candidates who are overly sensitive. No isn’t against my HSP community, but there are times where you have to let things go and allow people to be jerks. This isn’t right or human, but it is life.
- Avoid candidates who stay at a job more than 3 years. This is laziness and they don’t learn more, they just get comfortable.
- Avoid candidates who try to blame others for their problems. No doubt others play a role in their success, but they won’t last a month at work and you will not have a happy client.
- Avoid candidates who are exactly like you. If you feel you can have a beer with the candidate, you are looking for friends not clients needs and skills. Challenge yourself to find people you disagree with and you and your client will be better for it.
- Avoid candidates who are related to you or you owe some personal favor to. This isn’t recruiting, this is favoritism. Choose people based on skill and ability to learn, not what is convenient for you. If you don’t do this, your reputation will suffer and people won’t trust you.