How to Hire the Right People: 3 Strategies That Build Winning Teams

Hiring the right person can make or break your team. The right people find smart strategies, solve problems and hold each other accountable. Here are three practical ways to hire well and build a team that gets results.

Hire for attitude and train for skills

Plenty of employers say good talent is hard to find. Often the problem is the search itself. Many hiring managers want someone who can start immediately, needs no induction and fits in with everyone on day one.

Those candidates do exist, but they are rare. They rarely leave their current role unless something has gone wrong. And when they do move, their flaws can surface quickly.

Attitude is harder to teach than skills. A candidate with the right mindset and a genuine willingness to learn often becomes more loyal. They tend to get on better with colleagues too. Skills can be built with good training. Attitude usually cannot.

Match the traits to the role

Different roles need different people. Consider what the job actually demands.

• Fast-moving roles: look for adaptable people who thrive under pressure and enjoy a dynamic workplace.
• Less dynamic roles: look for people who value structure and bring specialised skills.

Test the skills instead of taking their word

Candidates usually describe themselves well. Ask them to show you instead. Give them a task or short test that mirrors the real job.

Watch how they approach problems, communicate and deliver under realistic conditions. You get first-hand insight into how they will perform. That beats any polished interview answer.

Give overlooked candidates a fair go

Some capable people miss out for reasons that have nothing to do with their ability. Do not automatically rule them out if they have been overlooked because they:

• are considered too old by other employers
• have skills that do not match a role exactly
• are immigrants
• live with a disability
• have been passed over for any other reason

These candidates often bring loyalty and drive. They are grateful for the opportunity, and that gratitude shows in their work.

Hire people who are better than you

A common trap is hiring down. Managers choose people less skilled than themselves. Those hires then choose people less skilled again. Over time, the whole team weakens.

Hiring up does the opposite. When every leader aims to hire someone stronger, the team keeps improving. That strength can lift the whole organisation.

Think of a general. They may not be the best shot or the best pilot. Their real strength lies in strategy, direction and keeping the team working together. Good leaders build teams that include strengths they do not personally have.

Culture beats strategy every time

A strong culture will find a good strategy. A brilliant plan with a poor culture is a different story. Tension grows, trust erodes and the team can fall apart.

Strong teams also tend to sort out problem people. Those individuals either leave or are asked to go. Either way, the team becomes healthier.

Invest in regular training. Share the company vision clearly. Make sure every person understands where their role fits within it.

Find candidates faster with Connectzapp

Connectzapp matches you with candidates who suit the role you need filled. Enter the role details and you receive a ranked list. The best matches appear at the top.

Swipe through the profiles, shortlist the candidates you like and contact them directly. Connectzapp is available on the App Store and Google Play. You can also visit connectzapp.com to get started.

Your practical takeaway

Hire for attitude, then train for skills. Test real ability, look beyond the obvious and hire people who may outshine you. Protect your culture and keep your team clear on the vision.

Do that consistently and your next hire could become your strongest team member. Start building your shortlist at https://www.connectzapp.com