When it comes to hiring, it’s easier to learn about abilities than it is personality. And yet, finding a candidate with the right attitude and interpersonal skills is often just as critical to success on the job. So how can you learn more about who they are, so you can make the best hiring decision possible?
Future Force – one of Dade County’s top staffing agencies – has the answers you need. Here are some tips to help you:
Ask the right questions.
Before the interview, think about the specific social skills that are needed for success in the particular job you’re hiring for. For instance, maybe you need someone who can quickly build a rapport and relationships with others. Or perhaps a new hire who’s an empathetic problem solver is the right fit for you. Whatever the case, hone in on those personality traits that you’re looking for, then develop questions to ask to screen for them.
Talk to their references about personality.
When you call a candidate’s references, go beyond simply asking about past job titles, role and responsibilities. Instead, make sure you ask directly about their personality too:
- Did they mesh well with the company culture?
- Were they easy to collaborate with?
- Did they get along with teammates?
- How did they receive feedback when it was given?
Or you can simply state you had trouble getting to know the candidate during the interview and ask what they’re like to work with on a daily basis.
Conduct a personality assessment.
If you’d like a more science-based approach to assessing a candidate’s personality, you can conduct personality or psychological testing. These types of assessments can give you more in-depth insight into a candidate’s personality type and traits, as well as their ability to reason, problem solve, and deliver a successful performance in the position.
Most jobs require a certain level of interpersonal skills. However, if the job involves something like data entry or operating a machine all day, then technical abilities might be more important. Just make sure that you evaluate the role you’re hiring for, then develop a plan to ensure you carefully assess the particular skills you need.
Need more help with the hiring process?
Contact the experts at Future Force. As one of Dade County’s top staffing agencies, Future Force can help you find the people you need, where and when you need them. We can also help you minimize the risk of hiring mistakes and find high quality, dependable workers on a temporary and full-time basis. Ready to learn more? Contact us today.