Do you know the biggest mistakes employers make in hiring? One of the biggest challenges we find is that sales professionals and business owners think they can find somebody who is both people-oriented and great on follow-through and detailed work.

The five common mistakes employers make in hiring are…

1. I need a body right now.

The manager hires out of desperation and it is common when the manager finds himself overwhelmed. Maybe somebody just quit or the manager received a number of leads and does not know how to get the transactions closed or tasks accomplished.

2. Hiring close family, friends or referrals without any evaluation.

We have known a client for a while who continues to hire her close friends and family members without evaluating whether they are the best fit for the position. She finds it difficult to motivate and get any worthwhile performance out of these employees. Teamwork is a struggle and she seems frustrated. She feels that there is a magic bullet which will solve her problems.

Unless she starts hiring the person who is most suitable for the position instead of using nepotism, she will always have this challenge.

Unfortunately I have been guilty of this as well and it cost me money, time and relationships.

3. No process to screen candidates.

Most sales professionals and managers are quick decision makers and do not have the necessary patience to do the due diligence before hiring people. It sounds simple, but it is hard for people who pride themselves on their quick thinking and decision-making ability to slow down and go through all the steps necessary to get well-qualified people.

Why is this attitude a major business risk? Just using your gut feel to make a hiring decision is not a smart idea. Again, most managers are not trained in this skill.

4. Hiring the candidate who is just like you.

This individual reminds you of yourself when you were younger. You have a good gut feeling about this person.

Many managers tend to hire a person with whom they feel comfortable. Of course, you like people who are like you or remind you of yourself. If the candidate is too much like you, then why are you hiring your clone? It is rarely a good idea to hire your clone.

5. You hate to do the work that you should be doing.

Let us say that you hate detailed paper work and you are poor in following through. You feel that all you need to do is to hire somebody who likes that work and is competent at it and your worries will go away.

Do not make that mistake. Before you hire such a person, learn the basics of that job for two reasons. One reason is that the person who walks in to do that job will definitely need you to give her orientation and training before she can be productive. Secondly, that person’s style of work will differ from your style by necessity. If you cannot appreciate her role and how she functions, you will be a poor manager.

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About the Author

Minesh Baxi is the co-author of “Stop Hiring Losers”. Do you have the right employees in the right position? Listen to one hour live recording and get first two chapters of the book “Stop Hiring Losers” free at http://www.StopHiringLosers.com

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