Hiring Nightmares to Avoid: Hiring Based on the Resume Only

Tips from Dallas Staffing Agencies: Hiring Nightmares

When you begin the search for a new employee you expect candidate resumes to reflect who they are professionally. In a perfect world this would be the case each and every time. However, not every job seeker is who they seem on the surface. Many organizations have made the mistake of hiring a seemingly perfect candidate based on their resume credentials alone. Avoiding this kind of hiring nightmare is essential to making the right decisions for your company as a whole. Here are some ways to move past the resume and make a more informed hiring decision.

  • Review their public social media. While this practice is still very much in legal limbo it is accepted today that employers will review some of each candidate’s social media presence. Being careful not to base your decision on discriminatory practices such as race, gender, or religion, feel free to review those profiles that are set as public. The most pertinent site is LinkedIn since the intention is for professional networking. Look at their recommendations, their group participation, and additional media on their profile. You can also review public posts on Twitter and Facebook to get a more well-rounded perspective.
  • Never skip the references. So many companies today skip this step and there is a real danger there. Your candidate’s former employers, managers, and co-workers will be able to provide an in-depth look at who they are as an employee. Ask your candidates for names and phone numbers of individuals who are willing to discuss their background with you. So many companies have a policy today of merely confirming dates of employment, but drilling down to the meat of someone’s experience is important.
  • Several step interview process. Never make an offer on the spot. Create a standardized process for interviewing each qualified candidate. You may have a two or three interview system or you may decide to have several people within your organization conduct interviews and then share notes. Develop questions that will get to the core of their experience and their work style. Weigh each candidate equally and by the same criteria. This will help you avoid making an emotional, but ultimately negative, hiring decision.
  • Consider a temp to hire agreement. If you are still concerned about bringing on an untested candidate consider working with a local staffing service to hire someone on a temporary basis. You can work out the details with the service to evaluate the new employee on the job and be able to convert them over to your payroll once you are satisfied that they are the right fit for you. If they do not work out to your expectations your staffing partner can help you find a replacement.

Are you looking to add qualified and professional staff to your organization? Cornerstone, one of the top Dallas staffing agencies, can help you today!

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