Hire for Attitude and Motivation Over Experience
Hire for Attitude and Motivation Over Experience
When building a team, prioritizing a candidate's attitude, cultural fit, and intrinsic motivation over their resume or specific experience can lead to a stronger, more resilient organization. While skills can be taught and experience can be gained, a person's core attitude is much more difficult to change.
The Hiring Philosophy:
- Cultural Fit First: Would the candidate enjoy working in your company's specific culture? Would you and the team enjoy working with them? This is the most important filter. A positive, engaged person is an asset to everyone.
- Motivation and Eagerness to Learn: Look for candidates who are genuinely excited about the company's mission and are eager to learn and grow. A smart, open, and positive person can often compensate for a lack of direct experience.
- Capability Last: The final question is whether they can do the job. If a candidate passes the first two tests, they can often be trained for the specific skills required, especially for entry-level or junior positions.
Benefits of this Approach:
- Stronger Culture: Hiring for attitude first ensures that you Build a Culture of Positivity.
- Higher Retention: People who are a good cultural fit and are given opportunities to grow are more likely to stay with the company long-term.
- Unlocks Hidden Talent: This approach gives opportunities to talented individuals who might be overlooked by traditional, resume-focused hiring processes.
This method is about betting on potential rather than just past performance. It's a belief that with the right attitude and in the right environment, good people can grow into world-class leaders.