5 Powerful Tips When Making Next Senior Hire

Tip 1 – Don’t Just Try And Find A Carbon Copy Of The Predecessor

Often hiring processes are biased towards finding someone exactly like the incumbent or predecessor in terms of demographic or background. This is often counterproductive as you are comparing someone who has been with the business with someone who is unknown. Instead match someone for the future needs of the team regardless of the past.

Tip 2 – Hire on Behaviours Over Experience

Companies tend to hire on skills and fire on behaviours – previous experience is no longer the best predictor of future success. Getting the cultural and behavioural fit correct should be the number one priority of the recruitment process from the start – this means more than a token psychometric test at the end when the decision has already been reached!

Tip 3 – Don’t Overpay for the “Sure Thing” Candidate

Like most leaders I have succumbed to this a number of times. It is oh-so-tempting to try and buy yourself out of a problem by paying way over the odds for a proven performer from a competitor. The trouble is (and the humble high achiever will agree with this) previous success is a combination of hard work, success, circumstance and a bit of luck. I have witnessed many an individual arrive with a huge reputation (and pay packet) and yet for some reason fall flat.

Previous stardom is certainly a huge positive but even the highest performer never comes with a 100% guarantee.

Tip 4 – Involve Key Stakeholders in the Interview and Decision

If there are hugely important internal stakeholders, suppliers or customers who will be materially affected by the appointment you are about to make, then it is madness not to include them in the assessment process. Set your new hire up for success by gaining them the political sponsorship and endorsement they’ll need before they start.

Tip 5 – Get the Onboarding Right

39% of executives have considered walking away in their first three months – this shows us that onboarding is still an area of importance that is not always executed appropriately. Most new hires decide very early whether they are likely to stay the course so make sure you make a killer first impression.

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