Nov 22, 2022
Welcome to the first season of The Close. A new podcast hosted by Kris Coulthard and Craig Sibley, who will be breaking down how to hire effectively and how to land your dream job in easily digestible chunks. In each episode they’ll break down a recruitment related subject, give their perspective and advice (as recruiters) and also answer listener questions.
This week we delved into the topic of hiring a “perfect candidate”.
“I loved the candidate, but I’d like to see a couple more”.
We hear this from time to time and, as recruiters, in this market, our heart sinks.
We know that for key hires, nailing it matters. But so does actually making the hire. There are associated financial and time costs of not hiring. A smarter man than me can probably tell you what that is. Regardless of what they are, you need to consider your options.
The reality is that in this market, or in fact any, the perfect hire doesn’t exist. Now I’m not suggesting that you settle by any means. I am suggesting that at a certain point, you need to be confident enough to pull the trigger on a candidate who ticks 9/10 boxes.
There is a massive risk in holding out for a comparison or for a non-existent “perfect candidate”.
The 9/10 candidate that you interviewed isn’t just interviewing with you. They’re exploring multiple opportunities, in businesses where 8/10 is the pass mark. They’re being offered by your competitors. And quickly.
I’ve worked with businesses who have held out for a perfect candidate and have been left with nothing. All the while their advert and the opportunity is becoming stale
Don’t risk it. If you have interviewed someone you like, who can do the job, make the hire. You won’t regret it.
