In the hiring process, many companies make the mistake of focusing too much on the brightest candidates. While bringing smart people on board is never a bad idea, there is far more that goes into success than just being a good problem-solver. The soft skills that might be overlooked can make or break a new employee.
It’s vital that you find candidates who can communicate effectively, get along with a variety of different personality types, and show some compassion towards their peers. Being able to work effectively within a team is important in most organizations, as the “lone wolf” type doesn’t build the relationships needed for optimal success. Emotional intelligence is another trait that many companies value. Employees who understand their emotions and those of their colleagues will demonstrate the capacity to leverage their connections and lead in an effective and authentic manner.
Conscientiousness also is an important consideration when making hiring decisions. Candidates who hold themselves to a high standard and take pride in understanding, and meeting, their obligations tend to be more successful than those that don’t. In dangerous or highly regulated environments, it may be quite useful to know who is likely to follow rules and “color inside the line” so that you do not end up with a new team member who habitually makes bad decisions.
There are many other personality traits, and values, out there that might be predictive of success in your company. Identifying them and accurately assessing them on the front end can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration in the future. While some of these can be assessed during structured interviews, adding formal assessment into your selection process gives you more objective information to aid in your hiring decisions.
