In the Knowledge economy, Human Resources differentiate the successful organisations from the "run of mill". In this section, we will discuss the issues relating to this valuable resource through a series of articles.

And yes, we are open to contributions from masters of this Art ... You.

Traps to watch out for while hiring

Consider the people you have hired for your organisation. Are they the best talent you could lay your hands on and the right people for the right job? The answer may not be an out-and out "Yes!"

Top quality workforce is vital for the successful expansion of a business operation. Companies face a dead end when candidates fail to reveal truths for fear of being rejected. Here are a few ways to debunk ploys to hiring and play it safe.

When to hire

The right time to hire is when a company changes its business strategy and position. Most companies decide to hire only when they start-out or when an employee resigns. Tackling the hiring process when the company is not in a 'rush' mode will ease out bottlenecks and will help the company take on a 'non-reactive' approach.

Temper the criteria

Companies always look for the perfect match. If you are looking for a person who possesses all the skills sets specified, chances are they may not be any!
Hiring candidates with a mix of competencies, and giving importance to skill sets that finally count in the long run. You may need to tone down unrealistic specifications.

Stock questions, no value

"What are your strengths and weaknesses?" "Where do you see yourself five years from now?"- Questions such as these may not have a 'right' or 'correct' answer and so candidates should not be qualified or disqualified based on these grounds.

EQ as vital as IQ

One criterion that is often ignored while hiring an individual is the emotional quotient of the person. More attention needs to be paid to a person's self- awareness, motivation, self-control, empathy, social skills and team building capabilities.
Marquee companies like Microsoft, AT and T, Bell Labs, British Airways and others have identified emotional intelligence as a key factor for grooming candidates into effective leaders.
If you watch out for these traps to hiring you can be assured of the quality of candidates and hire effective leaders for your organization.

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