What are the biggest mistakes managers make during the hiring process?

Lynn Unsworth, a senior professional in HR at Capital Associated Industries, Inc., in Greensboro, NC, lists four mistakes that are common to many organizations:

• Interviewing every applicant who applies. Choose the top 10% of applicants and interview them only. How should managers weed out 90% of applicants? They should choose the top 3 things that would make someone successful in the position.
• Hiring someone too quickly. Of course managers feel pressure to fill vacancies in a timely manner. But acting too quickly can lead to hiring a candidate who isn’t the right fit. The applicant may have the right degree and experience, but a bad fit with company culture can spell trouble down the line.
• Misrepresenting the job and the company in the description. Doing a poor job of describing the job and company can lead to hiring the wrong person.
• Being too personal in the interview. Some managers forget they aren’t interviewing for a new friend. Managers need to know the difference between fitting the company’s culture and fitting in with them.

So, given this advice, the worst thing a hiring manager can say to someone in HR is, “I’ve interviewed all the applicants in one day and told them we have the best company and this is the best job in the world. I want to hire this guy because I really like him.” 

Tags: biggest mistakes, hiring, interviewing