Recruiting quality, high-performing candidates for critical roles in your organization is one of HR’s biggest ongoing challenges. Your company needs to find someone who is not only skilled and experienced but also someone who truly fits into the company’s culture and values. But, how can you really tell if someone is the right fit? In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of understanding a candidate’s values, work style, and problem-solving skills to determine whether they are a perfect fit for your organization.
Understanding the Candidate
To truly gauge whether a finalist for a key position within your organization is a good fit, it’s important to find out “who somebody is, who they were, and who they became… what their values are, what gives them a sense of fulfillment.” One way to accomplish this is by asking open-ended questions that encourage the candidate to speak about their past experiences, passions, and interests. This will give you insight into their values, work style, and how they handle challenges.
The interview stage
When it comes time to interview a high-performing potential hire, you need to pay close attention to how the candidate responds to certain questions. The way someone answers interview questions can be a clear indication of their communication style, problem-solving abilities, and decision-making skills. It is important to ask questions that will give you a clear picture of their approach to work and their ability to collaborate with others.
Style for Getting Things Done
The million-dollar question is whether the candidate’s style for getting things done is going to set them up for success or failure at your company. The answer to this question is heavily dependent on whether the candidate’s work style aligns with the company’s culture and values. If your organization values open communication and collaboration, then you want to look for a candidate who shares this approach.
Effective Communication and Influencing Others
If you can’t articulate how you achieved something, who you were able to influence, and how you changed your approach to persuade someone who was particularly uncooperative, you won’t be effective in an organization that highly values communication and gaining support. Therefore, it’s important to seek candidates who possess effective communication skills and the ability to influence others, since these abilities are crucial to achieving success in any organization.
While some candidates may be effective in other organizations, they may not be a good fit for the specific position being recruited for in your organization. It is important to recognize these limitations during the hiring process and make decisions based on what is best for your organization.
Approach and work style
What is ultimately important to learn about the person are their values and their approach to completing tasks. It’s important to understand how they drive a project forward, what obstacles they faced in doing so, and whether they persevered or gave up. This will provide insight into the candidate’s work style and problem-solving approach.
Problem-solving skills
It is essential to evaluate a candidate’s problem-solving skills and their ability to drive projects forward when assessing their fit for a position. Try to ask questions that will give you insight into their approach to problem-solving and how they have handled challenges in the past.
Due Diligence
Of course, you should do your recruiting due diligence by determining whether a potential hire’s experience and skill level are appropriate for the job. It is important to verify any claims made on their resume and assess their references to ensure that they truly have what it takes to succeed in the position.
Consider company culture
Finally, it is crucial to consider the importance of company culture in the recruitment process. A candidate not only needs to be qualified for the job but also needs to fit into the culture of the company. If you hire someone who does not share the same values as the company, it can result in a lack of engagement and a decrease in team morale.
In conclusion, finding the perfect fit for your organization can be challenging, but it is possible. By understanding a candidate’s values, approach to work, and problem-solving skills, you can determine whether they are a good fit for the position. By following the tips mentioned above, you can ensure that you hire someone who will be a valuable member of your team and contribute to the success of your organization.
