"You're going to make mistakes - if you're not making mistakes, that means you're not trying new things. The question is not how to avoid failing, but how to come back stronger and incorporate the lessons learned from the experience." - Bill Boggs
I've made some awful hiring decisions! Like the lady who came with a resume including a college degree and a few Masters classes. She'd also been exclusively in an entry-level position at a manufacturing company.
At one point I asked the question "With your education, why haven't they moved you into greater opportunity?" The answer blamed the company.
I asked about examples of conflict. She was unable to provide an answer.
Red flags start waving, but... she seems stoic and professional enough. Besides, she's replacing a person who'd been an active, complaining cancer in the department. Even if she's not a star, she'll be an improvement, right?
For a day or so.
Then came "Birthdaygate," where an innocent attempt by a co-worker to celebrate her 30th birthday in surprise fashion turned into an unleashed psychological fury. She was like a blowtorch - powerfully productive and useful most of the time, but way too hot to get close to. Eventually she was deemed "unstable" by our HR rep, and left the company.
Nowadays, I am bold about follow-up questions to get behind the mask, and highly attuned to the optimism, accuracy, frankness, humility and kindness that a candidate exudes. To do less is to toss a noose around the collective neck of the team and walk a tightrope!
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