How to avoid hiring the wrong candidate

Recruitment and hiring are tough tasks in the contemporary employment market, so making the wrong choice of a candidate can be a lengthy blow.

HR Leader recently spoke to EST10 founder Roxanne Calder in regard to how organisations and employers can deal with poor hiring decisions and some of the early cues that may alert employers that they have, in fact, made the wrong decision.

“Poor hiring decisions are not just issues in today’s workplace. Pre-pandemic and the skills squeeze, employers faced similar issues. In 2017, one survey found 74 per cent of employers had made the wrong hire. It just feels more acute today,” said Calder.

“The ease to fill a vacancy is exponentially harder, and the repercussions more significant. You followed all the expert advice, especially the ’move with speed and compromise.”

Calder offered some recommendations on how employers can navigate their hiring decisions moving forward.

Keys to avoid the hiring trap

1. “Check your frame of reference and be aware of the mind’s tricks. Under pressure, we can enter interviews with a desperate hope, ‘Please, let this candidate be the one’. Shrouded by the daunting reality of what it means to continue with an unfilled vacancy, your mind may be skewed from good judgement. Know what the negotiables and non-negotiables are beforehand, and use them as your rational checklist,” Calder said.

2. “Don’t ignore the signs and signals. Running late for interviews, tardy communication, difficulty attaining references or educational transcripts, and lacklustre responses are early indicators of potential attitudinal issues. Compromise and latitude is the advice I often give. However, boundaries and standards are of equal importance. Listen to the reasons and observe the communication style. How would you feel if this was your employee?”

3. “Don’t accept vague answers. Probe until you feel comfortable with the responses. Equally, vague answers don’t necessarily mean a skills deficit. It may be that the interviewee doesn’t know how to answer your interview questions. Either way, asking more questions uncovers any skill gaps and capabilities, reducing the likelihood of poor hiring decisions with the dual advantage of not rejecting the wrong candidate.”

4. “Focus on soft skills. In a market short on skills and experience, we look to compromise. Yet, have we allowed enough time for our new hires to upskill? Soft skills such as conscientiousness, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness help predict the likelihood of success.”

Remedying a poor hire

1. “Provide sufficient training and support. In 2022, the main priority of human resource departments was recruitment, increasing to 37 per cent of their time versus 16 per cent in 2021. Yet, training remained at only 7 per cent for both years. Hiring new employees with identified skills gaps and no training guarantees a new hire disaster. Try additional training before any other steps. That gem candidate you met at the interview is likely still there. The potential adverse behaviours may be due to deteriorating confidence and self-esteem, not incapability or a poor attitude,” Calder said.

2. “Have the conversation, even if it is uncomfortable. The situation is not ideal, and your employee is likely feeling the same. Outline the issues clearly, with examples, and deliver the message non-emotionally. Ask for transparency in responses. It might be possible to retrieve the situation, which is really the best scenario.”

3. “Performance management. After reviewing the situation, have an action plan with clear goals and expectations. Document it for both parties and diarise a future time to review performance.”

4. “Performance warnings. These are given in writing and must identify the relevant performance concern. The warning cannot be a general call for improvement or encouragement to do so. It must be tangible. Adequate time needs to be provided for your employee to improve their performance. There is no legislative requirement specifying a certain number of written warnings. However, industrial tribunals have upheld unfair dismissal cases where an employee has not had a reasonable time to respond to performance concerns.”

Kace O'Neill

Kace O'Neill is a Graduate Journalist for HR Leader. Kace studied Media Communications and Maori studies at the University of Otago, he has a passion for sports and storytelling.