Hiring Based on Attitude: How a “Can Do” Attitude Can Grow Your Company

Which is better: hiring for attitude or hiring for skills?

It’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg conundrum, right? On the one hand, you need someone who can do the job. But possessing a laundry list of skills is just one indicator of potential success within your company.

Why is attitude so important when hiring?

A “can do” attitude shows an employer that a candidate is willing to work hard for you. Here are four reasons hiring someone based on attitude is important to your company’s growth:

Attitude provides a window to the future; skills and experience provide a window to the past.

According to a landmark study by Leadership IQ, 89% of hiring failures come from the wrong attitude – not a lack of skills. While there’s no denying that specific skills are essential to performing a role, focusing entirely on a candidate’s work experience provides only a glimpse of a candidate’s potential for long-term success within your organization.

Find out what interview questions uncover a “can do” attitude in job candidates.

Job skills are changing faster than ever.

The pandemic has dramatically changed the way work is performed. A  recent survey of more than 3,000 executives reveals that the pace at which some professional skills become outdated has increased by more than 70%!

In a work world with an accelerating rate of change, who would you want to hire: someone who could do the job two months ago, or someone with the attitude and aptitude to continue learning and growing with your business?

The “perfect” job candidate may not exist.

In today’s employment market, people who have everything you need – skills, experience, soft skills, the right personality for your culture – are tough to find.

Unprecedented times like these call for unprecedented changes to your hiring approach. Even if a candidate doesn’t have all of the skills and experience for a role, they may still be the best person for the job. Their positive attitude and strong learning capacity – combined with your willingness to invest in their training and development – can yield a key contributor who will help grow your company for years to come.

Our current talent shortages aren’t going away anytime soon.

Some experts predict the global human talent shortage will reach 85 million people by 2030. If this holds true, businesses may miss out on $8.5 trillion in unrealized annual revenues.

But, by adjusting your hiring strategy to consider candidates with the right attitude and aptitude, you have a golden opportunity to distinguish your organization as one that wants to invest in the future of talented people. Ultimately, this approach can help you attract more high-potential candidates who can accelerate your growth.

Hire smarter with PrideStaff

Our On Target fulfillment process eliminates the guesswork, chance, and inconsistency in staffing – and ensures you hire candidates who can do the job with a great attitude. To learn more, contact an expert recruiter at your local PrideStaff office.