Stop Hiring the Resume, Start hiring the Attitude

Don’t get me wrong, an employee's experience is crucially important in every role during recruitment. But the goal is to not just hire someone for the sake of hiring the best experienced. You want to hire someone long-term. Someone who will bring a positive environment to your employees as well. An employee can learn skills along the way with the right attitude but an employee with a bad or poor attitude will remain the same in most cases whether experienced or not.

During interviews, turn that resume over. Just chat. Instead of what the applicant has done, talk about who they are. Surely, an employee who has reached the interview stage most definitely has the experience or skills you were looking for during shortlisting.

While both employee attitude and experience are important factors in hiring decisions, there are situations where employee attitude can be considered more crucial than experience. Here's why:

1. Cultural Fit: A positive attitude often aligns better with the company's culture and values. An employee with a great attitude is more likely to adapt, collaborate, and thrive within the organization's environment.

2. Adaptability: Attitude reflects an individual's willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges. An employee with the right attitude can quickly learn new skills and adapt to changes in the work environment.

3. Team Collaboration: Employees with a positive attitude tend to foster better relationships with colleagues, enhancing teamwork and collaboration. This can lead to improved communication and a harmonious work atmosphere.

4. Motivation and Initiative: A strong attitude often translates to higher motivation and a proactive approach to tasks. Even if an employee lacks experience in a specific area, a positive attitude can drive them to take initiative and seek opportunities for growth.

5. Customer Interaction: For customer-facing roles, a positive attitude can greatly impact customer satisfaction. Employees with a positive demeanor can create positive experiences for clients, leading to customer loyalty and retention.

6. Problem-Solving: An optimistic and open-minded attitude can drive employees to find creative solutions to challenges, even if they haven't encountered a similar situation before.

7. Reduced Conflict: Employees with good attitudes are less likely to create conflicts or contribute to a negative work environment. This can lead to higher morale and productivity among the team.

8. Long-Term Potential: While experience can become outdated, a positive attitude can contribute to an employee's long-term growth and development within the company.

9. Training and Development: Employees with the right attitude are more receptive to training and development opportunities, enabling them to acquire new skills and enhance their capabilities.

However, we've established that attitude is crucial, it's important to strike a balance. Experience still holds value, especially for specialized roles where specific knowledge is required. A combination of both attitude and experience is often the ideal scenario. Companies might consider hiring individuals with the right attitude and a willingness to learn, providing them with the necessary training to excel in the role.

As a recruiter, ask yourself, between an applicant with High Experience and Poor Attitude & an applicant with Low experience and Profound attitude, who would you pick?