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How to choose the right candidate for a role

15th July 2021 3 MIN READ Hiring Tips Talos ATS

How to choose the right candidate for a role

When it comes to tough business decisions, recruitment is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only do you need to attract the right applicants – you also need to narrow down compatible talent to identify the best fit. Here we discuss how to select the right candidate for any job role:


How do I know if a candidate is right for the job?

Making the final selection is often the hardest part of the recruitment process. Here’s how you can identify the best candidate for your job role…

#1 – They’ve done their research

Strong candidates do their research; they know the ins and outs of your business before they attend their first interview. When a candidate demonstrates initiative in learning the basic principles of your business, it shows that their application is fuelled by passion.

Ask candidates why they applied for your vacancy in particular, and which aspects of your business and its products excite them most. This genuine interest in your brand is a great indicator of a strong future employee.

#2 – They align with your company culture

Cultural compatibility is often overlooked as an indicator of an applicant’s suitability. It is, however, just as important as their professional skill-set when looking for the right candidate for your vacancy. 

If candidates’ values clash with your company culture, they’re less likely to succeed as strong team-players. For example, if your company operates a flexible working model, candidates who crave the office-bound 9-5 structure are probably not the best fit. 

Use interviews as an opportunity to gauge candidates’ compatibility with your workplace culture. What motivates them to reach their goals? Are they a team-player, or an individual pioneer? It’s important to ensure their values and expectations match those of your workforce.

#3 – They’re passionate about their specialism

No matter their skills or experience, a candidates’ passion for their specialist area shows a willingness to learn and develop. 

Some employees may choose their field because they’re ‘good at what they do’, but not because they’re passionate about their product area. While this may not compromise their day-to-day performance, candidates with true passion for their specialism are far more likely to succeed in the long-term.


How can I pick out the most suitable candidate?

When selecting the right candidate for a role, suitability is far more important than experience or skill-level. Here’s how you can identify which candidate best fits your hiring needs…

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1- Assess their compatibility with your company culture

How well would your chosen candidate fit into your wider team? Do they share the same values, passion, and working practices? 

While variety is always important, candidates whose values clash with your company culture are less likely to be top performers in the long-run.

*For example, candidates who focus exclusively on individual successes may not be the best fit for a collaborative environment. They may, however, thrive in a competitive, results-driven workplace model. The right candidate will differ depending on job role, company culture, sector and even team dynamic.

2- Set pre/post-interview tasks 

There’s no better way to assess applicants’ suitability than seeing their skills in action. Set relevant pre/post interview tasks for your candidates to get a feel for their skill level.

For example, if you’re hiring an advertising executive, ask them to prepare some campaign ideas before their interview. This allows you to assess their skills when applied to your company’s real-world objectives.

3- Include more decision-makers in your selection process

The best hiring decisions come from unanimous agreement between key stakeholders. Include a more diverse panel of decision-makers in your selection process – such as department leads, line managers, and senior employees. 

This will promote data-driven hiring decisions, taking into account multiple perspectives on candidates’ suitability. It’s also an effective way to promote D&I in your hiring process, reducing the risk of individual recruiter bias.


Introducing…

Talos ATS: Compatible recruitment made easy

Want an easier way to find, select, and hire the most compatible talent? Talos ATS is the answer!

Talos ATS is an all-in-one recruitment tool, giving you all the essential tools you need to attract, hire, and retain the best talent.

Using AI recruiter scorecards, Talos automatically identifies your most compatible candidates – allowing you to actively engage the most relevant talent for your business.

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The platform lets you manage every stage of recruitment from one user-friendly dashboard, promoting efficiency, ease, and accessibility. 

Talos ATS includes:

Discover a better way to hire – saving time, cutting costs, and making life easier for your HR team:

Tim Clifford

Tim is here to bring you all the latest updates from Talos360 and share industry-leading insight to support organisations in streamlining their recruitment and retention through autonomous technology, performance management tools, and proven best practices.

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