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Identifying
the Best People
By Sonshi.com
We
would like to qualify this article by stating that everyone (and we mean everyone)
is intrinsically valuable. No monetary value can ever outweigh one human life.
Don't believe us? Talk with any scientist who works on robotics or artificial
intelligence. Nothing manmade can even compare with the physical and intellectual
complexities of living beings.
Now that
we have said the above, not everyone is the same. And not everyone is perfect.
Some have negative and positive tendencies depending on the objectives you're
trying to accomplish. The purpose of this article is to discuss the practice of
hiring the best people for your organization. Though the meaning of "best"
will vary, there are certain universal attributes you would want to consider.
Let us look at some of them below.
- Can the
person think on his or her own? The last thing a progressive organization wants
is someone who is always agreeable. This is useless. You may consider an individual
who's not afraid to voice another perspective from time to time. She will save
you from making a costly mistake.
- Grammar
or spelling mistake on the resume? Trash it. If the person can't put his best
foot forward correctly on one single page, then how do you think he'll perform
on responsibilities of a wider scope?
- Never
make hiring decisions based purely on physical aspects. Some people have biases
with a person's facial features, national background, how he or she dresses, and
so on and so forth. Another matter is not hiring the physically disabled. This
is not only illegal but illogical. Look at the overall individual and how she
can add value.
- Does
the person look you in the eye? People who look away from you while talking are
suspect. The same goes with quick or abrupt answers to your questions. He may
have something to hide. But again, don't outright judge this person mainly on
these two behaviors but the overall presentation.
- What
were her past experiences and decisions? This usually is a good indicator of how
she will act in the future. What you're looking for here is whether the person
made choices for the good of others, and not just for the good of herself. Obviously,
you want someone who can think beyond selfishness.
- Spend
some time with this person in both formal and informal settings. His true self,
if hidden, will be manifested. Make your decision accordingly.
- If you're
hiring a line person, focus in on her job or technical skills. If you're hiring
an executive, focus in on her interpersonal or people skills. This is due to the
general requirements of the two positions.
- Negativity
is bad. If the person continually makes deriding comments about other people and
his former companies, you can be certain he will do the same thing to your organization
in the future. Seriously reconsider hiring this individual...
- ...at
the same time, there is nothing wrong with him being upset or disappointed about
the past. Sometimes this underlies great passion to do things right. The world
as a whole is very adverse to change -- even change for the better. Dig deeper
to ascertain this person's personality regarding this issue.
- Look
for honesty. If he admits to prior improprieties (such as being fired), question
what happened. Sometimes a person has learned his lesson and would never do it
again. In a way, someone who has not made mistakes in the past is dangerous because
lessons have not been learned. Honesty can also be a small thing like putting
on the resume a 3.59 GPA instead rounding it over to a 3.60 GPA.
- Be cautious
about hiring someone who has a history of voluntary "job hopping." A
pattern of less than two years of service with various companies is not good.
We believe
that no matter what the unemployment rate is, there will always be a shortage
of good people. The job market is wide open for such individuals. If you're the
employer, grab that person fast before someone else does. If you're the potential
employee, you have nothing to worry about.
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