Comments on: You’ll Get Better Candidates if You Stop Focusing on These Things

By: BethRA

BethRA — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 18:07:04 +0000

In reply to Mr. Cajun2core. Agreed, and I would take this a step further (or backwards?) and really think about what skills you can train for vs. what you really need right now BEFORE you post the job, or at least before you start screening candidates. It's easier to be open to "people willing to learn" if you make that construct part of your thought process going in.

By: dangermash

dangermash — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:24:30 +0000

‘These “tell me about a time…” questions are inherently backward thinking. They aren’t bad-the best indication of future performance is past performance. But they are focused on the past. Instead, use the interview to present a situation and ask, “Can you tell me how you’d tackle this?”‘

I’ve been saying this for years and this is the first time I’ve heard someone else say it.

By: Elizabeth West

Elizabeth West — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 15:00:19 +0000

I love the rewording of “Tell me about a time when” to “Can you tell me how you’d handle this.” Candidates can use a past experience as an example and better demonstrate problem-solving abilities.

By: Elizabeth West

Elizabeth West — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:55:18 +0000

In reply to Mr. Cajun2core. This!

By: Mr. Cajun2core

Mr. Cajun2core — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:25:14 +0000

Also, be willing to hire people who are willing to learn. Don’t restrict your candidates to “must have experience.”

This happened to me. I was turned down by a current employer because I did not have experience using software X. I got a job with another employer who allowed me to learn Software X. I learned it in about a day.