Three Myths That Can Wreck Your Hiring Process by Dr. Rick Goodman

There’s a lot of received wisdom about the hiring process—a litany of “best practices” we’re all supposed to follow. 

The thing is, that received wisdom isn’t always so wise. And the best practices? They’re not always very good. 

You’ve got to be judicious, and to get the ball rolling, I want to highlight three common hiring myths that I believe do more harm than good. 

1. Beware of job hoppers. 

You probably know who I’m talking about when I mention job hoppers—the folks who seem to find a new position every year or so, never staying in one place for long. 

The conventional wisdom is that job hopping is a warning sign, an indicator that the person can’t commit and won’t really be invested in the long run. 

Sometimes that turns out to be true—but I wouldn’t dismiss job hoppers right out of the gate. What you may find, especially with younger employees, is that they’re actually looking for some real leadership, and for a place where they can learn and grow. 

It’s possible they just haven’t found it yet. And maybe you could provide it to them. 

2. Detailed descriptions are best. 

Another myth you’ll run into is the notion that an incredibly detailed job description is best for finding the right match. 

But let me push back against that. Offering a mundane bullet-point list of responsibilities may not attract the best candidates. In fact, it might just bore them. 

So, what if you wrote a job description where you emphasized values and mission but also left some room for really talented employees to come in and tell you how they would shape the position in question?  

That may be the best way to bring in a really exciting crop of applicants. 

3. Experience is key. 

Obviously, it can be advantageous to find applicants with a certain level of technical expertise. But does experience trump teachability? Is having a long resume a substitute for passion? 

I think these qualities can offset a lack of technical expertise—and in some cases, they may actually be more important. 

Those are my thoughts—and I’d love to hear from you. Tell me your take on common hiring myths. You can reach out to me any time! 

Hit me up at www.rickgoodman.com or call 888-267-6098. You can also learn more in my book The Solutions-Oriented Leader, which provides step-by-step advice on transforming your life, your business, and your team—including your hiring process.