The other night I attended a Texchange, an Austin entrepreneur’s exchange.
The topic was “Entrepreneurs Lessons from the Trenches”. It was a broad topic, but the panelists and tables focused on hiring & recruiting – the importance of getting the right people.
Here are some of the most helpful tips that were shared:
• Drill below what they know, to a point where they can’t answer, so you see their thought process. • Important question: What is the most significant accomplishment in your career?
• Use “Why” questions occasionally. Avoid one answer questions.
• A mediocre hire is worse than a bad hire. A bad hire will work themself out naturally. A mediocre hire stays around.
• Try temp to perm
• Type of person to look for – good at collaboration.
• Are you looking at psychology and competencies or resume accomplishments?
• Design questions that put the candidate in difficult situations and see how they respond.
• Hire slowly, fire quickly.
• If hiring is the most important decision you make, you should be black belts at recruiting.