Have you ever made a hiring mistake --- selecting the wrong person for the position? Most of us have and then had to deal with the consequences. A poor hire can eat up your time and energy and weaken an entire team. However, a good hire can take the weight of the world off your shoulders.

So why do so many managers fail to hire the right people for the right jobs? Here are the top five hiring mistakes managers make.

Failure to prepare.
When managers are so busy dealing with multiple issues everyday, they may not have the time to do the front-end homework that is required. Find the time because bad hiring decisions can be costly in terms of your time and your money.

Failure to identify success factors.
You must go beyond the job description. Make a list of the qualities to be successful as a service champion, for example. It could be two or three or it could be 10. Then go out and find people to match those qualities.

Failure to evaluate correctly the person's skills.
If the position requires someone who is detail-oriented, then determine if the candidate has this skill either through the use of behavioral interviewing or through some form of assessment.

Failure to deal with a poor fit.
Something changed. Maybe the job, the organization, or the person changed. Maybe everything changed. Many people end up in the wrong place because they stayed in the right place too long. So the right place can become the wrong place over a matter of time.

Failure to be patient.
Sometimes the person is in the right place, but they have to grow into it --- they have to be trained and developed. You know they have the talent they have the ability, they have the passion; but they need time and someone to help them.

Remember, good hires are never an accident. It is always the result of good preparation, good interviewing, and good decision making. So stop making hiring mistakes and start selecting the right people for the right jobs.

Do you want good hires? See the Staffing: What Really Works handbook.  It's packed with solid, roll-up your sleeves tips to hire right the first time and avoid costly mistakes.

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Copyright 2006-2009, Marcia Zidle. Will you have a bright future? you ready to make your organization stand out in the crowd in competing for customers, clients, funders or community awareness? Contact us and let us show you how to make that happen.

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