5 mistakes to avoid when hiring new employees

Hiring just the right people is vital to the success of your company.

Unfortunately, the hiring process isn’t always an easy one. And, mistakes can cost you in the long run.

When you lose an employee and have to replace him, you incur costs that include advertising, interviewing, screening, hiring, onboarding and training.

According to Fast Company, 66% of companies surveyed said a bad hire cost them between $25,000-50,000. This is why you want to avoid hiring the wrong person.

In this article, we look at five mistakes to avoid when hiring new employees.

#1: Hiring too quickly

Your employee just quit, so your first instinct is to rush right out and advertise your open position.

This isn’t always the best plan of action. Rushing the hiring process is never a good idea.

Before you advertise the position, make a list of the exact qualities you’re looking for in a candidate and revise the job description if necessary so you know just what skills you need.

If you hire too quickly, you risk hiring someone who lacks the skills for the job or won’t fit in your office culture. You also risk not getting to know and vet the candidate properly.

#2: Not having hiring policies

Before you look for a new employee, you want to make sure you have your hiring policies in place.

If you don’t, not only will you confuse the candidate, but your managers won’t have a clear way to proceed. This leaves room for inconsistencies and ultimately can lead to legal issues.

You want to have a solid employee handbook with a hiring policy in place. This protects you and your employees.

#3: Rushing to judgment

One of the biggest mistakes interviewers make is rushing to judgement in the interview. Oftentimes interviewers will decide if they “like” a candidate in the first 10 seconds.

This is a bad idea because instead of getting to know the potential hire during the interview, you spend the whole time trying to justify your first impression.

Try not to judge the person in the beginning. Let the interview flow and see if their strengths match the position. Then, you can look at the person’s other qualities.

First impressions aren’t always correct, so give yourself and the new hire a break and get to know them first.


Worth noting is that a firm handshake and eye contact don’t always mean the candidate is a good fit. Again, take your time and don’t make snap judgements.

#4: Skipping the background check

Many businesses make the mistake of skipping the background check because the person “seems so nice.”


Don’t rush this step. One survey found that nearly 60% of people have lied on their resume. Embellishments of skills and experience are the most common areas.


The only way to know if someone is lying to you is to do a background check and call all of their references.


You definitely don’t want to hire someone who is comfortable breaking rules.


While doing your due diligence takes time, it’s well worth the money.

#5: Overlooking a cultural fit

So, you’ve found the perfect candidate. They look great on paper. Their references and background check are positive. They’ve got the right education and experience.


You’re all set, right? Wrong.


Ask yourself if the person’s personality, behavior and work ethic are suited to your company culture? How will they fit with your other team members?


Be sure that you aren’t bringing in someone who will create conflict with your team.

Final thoughts

The cost of hiring a new employee is high – too high to mess up.


That’s why you want to avoid these common mistakes when hiring new employees. Take your time, know what you want, and be confident in your decision.


Lastly, once you’ve hired your new employee, don’t forget the onboarding process. This can help ensure your new hire’s success in your company and give them a solid footing in their first weeks on the job.


In the end, hiring well and conducting a positive onboarding experience leaves you with more satisfied employees who are more likely to stick around.


Bottom line – make sure you have a well-developed hiring process that leaves little room for error and avoids the mistakes mentioned here.


When you’re set, you’re sure to find just the right candidate for your job and team member for your company.

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