By Joe McKenna
This was USATODAY.com’s lead article headline
on May 6, 2005. Sure some companies like IBM and Ford
are still cutting jobs, but job growth is today’s
typical reality.
Here’s another reality. Two out of three new
employees will not be meeting expectations six to 12
months after being hired. Some times their sub-par
performance will be tolerated; some times they will
be fired.
Either way, productivity and morale suffer. It doesn’t
have to be that way. Consider this:
People are often selected for their ‘hard skills’ (what
they know, have done, or are trained to do). People
are usually fired for their ’soft skills’ or
a lack thereof. You know, they aren’t a team
player or their attitude is poor. A generation ago, ‘soft
skills’ were seen as ‘fluff’. Not
now. Today’s smart companies realize their importance.
And yet, ‘soft skills’ aren’t easy
to spot — through traditional interviews, anyway.
Savvy candidates can ‘talk the talk’—that
doesn’t mean they’ll ‘walk the walk’.
There is a better way to discern candidates’ ‘soft
skills’. Our assessment tools measure candidates’ soft
skills and predict ‘job fit’ - how well
the candidate will align with the needs of the job.
Behavioral tools reveal candidates’ work habits
such as preferences for pace, compliance with procedures
and interaction with others. Motivational tools reveal
the sense of meaning that candidates get from earning
money, or helping others, or learning new skills. Attribute
assessments provide glimpses into candidates’ capacity
to excel in certain roles based on their values, beliefs
and ‘soft skill’ abilities.
Can’t afford to invest in ‘hiring smart’?
Consider the alternative. It’s far more costly
to make hiring mistakes and it’s a real drain
on productivity and morale.
Hire the best candidate for the job every time. You’ll
be glad you did—and so will your employees and
customers.
© The KENNA Company – Joe McKenna helps
companies select and engage high impact performers.
His products and services help companies improve productivity,
retention and employee satisfaction. To reach Joe:
joe@kennacompany.com; www.kennacompany.com; 816-943-0868.
Go to: Section on Employee Selection
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