Hiring can make or break an organization. Choose the right people and your business will operate like a well-oiled machine. Pick the wrong candidates and you’ll be mired in correcting underperformers or hiring and training their replacements. All of which cost you time and money that could be better spent elsewhere. Avoid these four mistakes to increase your company’s chances of hiring success.

Using last year’s job description.

There is no way that the nature of any job hasn’t changed in the last year. Retrieving the qualifications you used last time you hired may be a good start, but think about what duties may have been added or eliminated. Speak to the supervisor and peers in the department to identify any changes. Use the posting as a marketing tool to attract the best candidates. Think about what top prospects will look for in an ideal job. Focus on their needs and interests, not just yours.

Disregarding fit.

It’s easy to get caught up searching for candidates who look the best on paper, but skills should not be the only factor. Look for candidates who share your values and are willing to work toward a common goal with you. Don’t focus exclusively on attitude; meeting the qualifications of the position are a must, but if you must choose between two equally qualified candidates, lean toward the one who will fit best into your organization.

Rushing the hire.

No one wants to see a position vacant. Work remains undone or an undue burden is placed on those who must pick up the slack. But an empty slot is preferable to one filled by the wrong candidate. Take time to consider what work must be covered and how it can be handled with minimum impact to the organization in the long and short term. Creating a system of coverage or cross-training will take the pressure off so you can make intelligent hiring decisions.

Looking for a type.

It can be tempting to try to clone yourself or your best employees when hiring, but success can be found in diversity too. With an open mind, you might find the most successful people may have more or less education or experience than you would expect or may come from a different industry. Hire complementary employees and you will find that with diversity comes strength.

At SMR Group Ltd, our recruiters focus on finding the best sales and marketing talent available. Partner with us when searching for candidates in the biotech, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries, and we can help you avoid hiring mistakes. Contact us today to learn more.