Do you know what is the most precious asset for a start-up? It is neither the funding nor the infrastructure; it is the team of employees who devote themselves to a growing company’s success goal. Therefore, building a team of the right employees is paramount for a start-up’s success. A wrong fit can spoil the positive work environment and hinder the company’s growth.
The good news is you can identify a bad worker right at the interview, given that it is a nerve-wracking process for both the employer and the potential employee. Using the techniques below, you can discern the potential employee’s true character and shun them immediately if they are bad for your company’s environment.
1. Check the references:
Giving references in the CV has become a formality. Most candidates write the names of their previous colleagues for the sake of doing it, considering that they will never be contacted. So, no matter how charming or persuasive the applicant is, call their references and dig into their history. It will give you an insight into their reliability, work ethics and interpersonal skills. You will also get to know under which circumstances they left the job.
2. Involve more members:
Every individual has different skills when judging a person’s character. Some might be good at decoding body language, while some may excel at reading between the lines. You would also need people who can assess the potential employee’s capabilities for technical roles. Considering these aspects, form an interview team that can distinguish a good and capable employee from a bad one.
3. Search for specific answers:
With so many interview tutorials available online, candidates these days give generic answers to so many questions, such as “Why do you want to join this company?” Their mugged-up replies and superficial responses may sound impressive but will not give you specific insights into their character. So, it is important to push them to share real-life examples of their problem-solving and leadership skills or teamwork experiences.
4. Observe the body language:
A person may lie through words, but lying through body language is difficult. Notice their demeanour and body language closely during the interview. It will help you determine whether they are attentive, engaged, confident or bored. Look for signs like frequent phone-checking or fidgeting. It symbolizes nervousness or lack of focus.
5. Understand the thought patterns:
Do frame one or two questions around their previous work experiences and see if they represent it negatively. This will help you understand if they are willing to take responsibility or love playing the blame game. A person with hostility towards former colleagues or an organization could be a red flag. An employee with a positive bent of mind always acknowledges success and areas of improvement with equilibrium.
