My wife warned me about this

My wife used to be a personnel officer at a big London law firm. She told me something about recruitment that has stayed with me ever since.

Someone new joins your team and they tend to do one of two things: raise the standards around them or lower them.

Worth remembering when you’re sitting opposite someone with a lovely CV and all the right answers.

Because they’ve probably practised those answers. What you want to discover is what makes them tick.

Ask what they enjoy outside work. What they’ve stuck at. What they’re proud of and why. Give them room to talk, then listen for the care, curiosity and effort behind the answer.

The hobby itself isn’t the point. It’s how they approach it.

How they do anything is how they do everything.

Skills matter, of course. But so does having someone who takes pride in getting things right, uses their initiative and cares about the people working alongside them.

You’re going to give this person a place in your business. Their habits could become other people’s habits.

Before your next interview, give that some thought.

And if there’s a business issue you’d like to talk through, you’re always welcome to give me a call.

Mark Smillie
07710 466166