What the Presidential Election Can Teach Us About Hiring Job Candidates
Turn on any news channel and you’re flooded with information about the upcoming presidential election. Caucuses and primaries are already taking place, and with that, the most public job interview has begun.
Regardless of whether you resonate more with elephants or donkeys, one thing is certain: watching the political landscape unfold on the national level can teach a few important lessons.
Here are some of the biggest lessons you can learn about hiring from the political candidates:
Debates (or Group Interviews) Bring Up Interesting Dynamics
The candidates in this year’s election have engaged in more than a few fiery debates. Voters are being swayed by more than the rhetoric being tossed around during these exchanges; watching how the candidates interact with each other and moderators has also been a powerful eye-opener.
As a recruiter, you can use this same style of forum to get to know your job candidates. Bringing in individuals for a one-on-one interview is telling but it doesn’t show you how well the candidate will work with others.
If teamwork is a vital part of the job, hold a group interview. You’ll be able to watch how well each candidate plays with others. Although it probably won’t be as heated or contested as the political stage, it is likely to display some common behaviors you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Attendance Matters
Donald Trump made headlines when he bowed out of a debate in Iowa. Marco Rubio’s voting attendance record in the Senate has also been questioned numerous times on the campaign trail. Attendance at important events matter.
Talk to your job candidates about their attendance. Then, compare notes with their references. Do they call in sick often? Do they take vacations when times get tough?
This is important information to know for your business, especially if you will need employees' presence during busy periods such as the holidays. Don’t ignore past records. They’re often telling of how often a candidate will show up for work with your business too.
Experience Paints a Picture
Hillary Clinton’s experience as Secretary of State has been a hotbed of debate during the presidential election--so have the past experiences of every other candidate. This is the platform on which every presidential candidate can stand, just like it’s the platform on which your job candidates can stand when applying for a job with you.
Dig into each applicant’s experience. Get to know what it is they’re most proud of and what they wished they’d done differently in the past. This will speak volumes about what you can expect if you hire them.
Remember This When Interviewing Your Next Candidates
Experience, attendance, and the ability to work with others all play a vital role in a person’s success with your company. Just like the nation is taking these factors into consideration while choosing our next President, so should you while choosing the next person to hire in your firm.
