Posted 11 months ago - by Priscila Solis

3 Tips to Help You Choose The Right Candidate

So, you finally reached that point where you’re ready to pick one of the great candidates you’ve been speaking with. What’s next? At this point, you have read through many applications, met with various people, and have had multiple conversations with the top contenders. Choosing the right candidate after this point may not always be as easy as it seems.

There is only so much you can learn from a person when it comes to interviews. And choosing the right candidate for the position is an important and impactful decision to make. Here are 3 tips to consider when making these hiring decisions.

1. Look beyond their experiences

Every candidate is going to have a laundry list of accomplishments and achievements. Chances are there is not going to be a candidate with the exact experiences as the job they are applying for. Even if they had the same title at a different company, each organization is different, and therefore so is each experience.

Because of this, looking beyond the specifics of their experiences helps paint a bigger picture. If they are applying for a managerial position, look for experiences that exhibit manager qualities. They may not have ever held a manager title but perhaps they assisted a manager for several years or informally led a team to exceed certain goals. If the position requires learning how to use software that they never have used, check to see if they have any certifications in other tools. This shows that they are fast and capable learners and even if they don’t have experience with your particular software, they have experience learning and mastering something new.

2. Give them a small project to work on

When possible, you can give your candidates a small project to work on or even a hypothetical project. Ask them how they would handle and complete XYZ. This exercise isn’t necessarily about looking at what end result they come up with but taking a look at the process that got them there. More importantly, ask them about the reasoning behind their process. This gives you an insight as to what kind of employee they are and how they would approach an organization-specific scenario.

3. Listen to their questions

Any motivated candidate will have questions about the job. Their questions are telling you what is important to them. A candidate with insightful questions can be a candidate with insightful solutions. The types of questions they ask can also paint a picture of how they problem-solve. It can give you an idea of how they would question and analyze work-related projects. Additionally, asking for feedback from the candidate can be helpful to your overall hiring process.

Having a process in place that allows the applicant to share their initial thoughts on the interview process will allow you to see what they’re seeing and how it can be improved. Perhaps it was difficult for the applicant to get a hold of someone initially or the application used was confusing, these things should be addressed to not only make the process more efficient but to elevate your company’s standing. You want your business to be represented as professional and efficient from all aspects- not just to clients but to prospective employees as well.

At the end of the day, it is important to look beyond the resume when assessing candidates. A great candidate should have the necessary skills but also be a great fit for growth within your organization.

You deserve a recruitment process that is highly efficient and agile. Payroll Systems’ Applicant Tracking System is the tool you need to empower your company with top-notch talent.

Contact us to learn more about our HR and payroll solutions to complement ATS— from timekeeping systems with companion mobile app, physical clocks, and customized job costing and labor distribution reporting.

This article provides general information and shouldn’t be construed as legal or HR advice. Since employment laws may change over time and can vary by location and industry, please consult a lawyer or HR expert for advice specific to your business. You can also contact Payroll Systems to inquire about our HR support services.