Great on paper, but do you hire her?
We’ve been throwing lots of challenges at you lately–like… what would you do if you had an opportunity to sell a product but knew it wasn’t really what the customer wanted? Or what would you do if someone dangled startup money in front of you, but it came with some serious strings attached?
Well, this week, we’ve got another test for your entrepreneurial instincts. Here’s the scenario:
You’re running a small "consulting" company. There are 5 people working there–you, two consulting specialists, a bookkeeper and an admin.
Because demand for your services has been strong, you’ve started a search for a new consulting specialist. And you’ve found some amazing candidates.
There are two finalists. One is extremely experienced and qualified. The other is much less experienced but extremely passionate and likeable.
You’ve been smart to have each candidate sit down with your team members to figure out if the chemistry is solid.
What you’re hearing from the team is that the "highly qualified" candidate, Terry, has a different style and approach to business than the other team members do. One other thing: she doesn’t really seem like the kind of person you’d want to spend a lot of time with. But, man! She is picture perfect on paper (though a little more pricey).
In contrast, you’re hearing that the other woman you’re interviewing, Sara, has a lot to learn. But she’s gutsy, likeable, bright, optimistic and less expensive than your alternative. The big risk is that she’s unproven. And you know each hire is critically important to the success of your business.
If you have to hire one of the two, which one do you go with?
June 21st, 2005 at 4:30 pm
The less experienced one because she has the fire in her gut and would be more trainable. I have had enough of know-it-all salespeople that don’t produce and tick off clients. They will last about 6 months or until your patience wears out while they suck up a fat pay check every week.
June 21st, 2005 at 7:12 pm
It’s long been known that you’re only perfect twice in your life:
When you’re born (in your Mother’s eyes) and. . .
on your resume!
June 21st, 2005 at 7:19 pm
HIre the less experienced one if she fits in, she can be taylor trained for the business and she has the right attitude. The more expensive one is already set in her ways and my want to run the show ticking off the rest of the team. (Not that new ideas are not a plus).
June 21st, 2005 at 7:19 pm
I would most definitly hire the less experienced person with passion! and the will to get along with others than the person with experience and maybe a bit too much ego with the go it alone attitude, less exhausting. Ego’s are pretty much in the long run too difficult to retrain and they don’t or won’t let themselves understand, even when you have their best interest at heart. My My, if they would just open their minds to a little humility, it’s not a bad thing, we all have to from time to time. Real life experiences from a business owners perspective. Of course this is just in my own opinion. God Bless, Doug
June 22nd, 2005 at 8:27 am
You can teach someone the product and procedures but it’s real difficult, if not impossible, to teach someone to be motivated and likeable! Go for Sara!
God Bless,
Erik
June 22nd, 2005 at 9:51 am
An individual can ALWAYS be trained and with time comes experience, but you CAN’T teach passion, drive and attitude. Go for the one that’s a team player!
God Bless,
Inger
June 22nd, 2005 at 10:44 am
My experience has always been that fit for the team is the most important. Anyone can have the skills, but if people can’t work with them, no matter the size of the team, then you are faced with a situation where more time is spent on personnel issues than the tasks at hand.
In any case, there should be an evaluation or probation period for any new hire. In either case you never know what a person is like until you actually see them work.
June 22nd, 2005 at 6:58 pm
Great comments here.
As a recent MBA grad, I first agree with the thoughts of hiring the ‘one that fits’.
Secondly, it too gives me comfort, as I search for a consulting job, that personality weighs more than experience in some cases. In todays market, people skills and relationships with internal and expernal personnel carry high importance.
June 23rd, 2005 at 9:02 am
Totally agree with the ppl above. Great attitude and passion is the first thing to look for when hiring. From my experience, ppl with these attributes generally learn very fast.
June 24th, 2005 at 2:42 am
heya! I am a newguy here! From beijing,china.
Hypothetically,if I were the interviwer who dealt with the first candidate, the experienced&expensive one,she wouldn’t stand a chance of entering the final!(Would definitely be ruled out in the first place!) How the hell could I take in someone with such a negative attitude as to repel my clients? That one in the long run, could turn out to be a ball-buster, biz-screwer..whatever you’d call it, Not gonna happen to me to let in such a person as you guys made up! In service business like consulting,personally,attitude determines a lot more than other biz factors!
June 24th, 2005 at 1:47 pm
Sara in a heartbeat!
Let me expand on the other comments.
I am a business owner similar to the scenario owner. I base my business on "quality service". I have to keep customers coming back to me. The one thing that turns a customer off is poor attitude. As said before, "green" employees are easily trainable to the way you run [b]your[/b] business. I am in this situation and I completely agree with all of the others in this response. I have found that regardless of the job performed (or whatever your service might be)or cost, the customers will keep you coming back if you they are happy with you.