You might know the saying:


„Hire for attitude, not for skills“


It’s a popular saying and in some way correct. But hiring is not as simple as this saying presumes! You cannot hire just for attitude and neglect skills.

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Steen Toftegaard Poulsen

Headhunter, Managing Partner

mobile: +49 172 422 1004

email: stp@exactrecruitment.com


Your partner within:

Search & Selection, Headhunting,

Recruitment and Business Development

with focus on Germany and Denmark

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Martin Larsson

Headhunter, Managing Partner

mobile: +49 173 516 1438

email: ml@exactrecruitment.com


Your partner within:

Search & Selection, Headhunting,

Recruitment and Business Development

with focus on Germany and Denmark








Prioritizing a candidate's attitude over specific skills may work when selecting

from a pool of candidates with comparable skills. However, if you have only one

candidate with the necessary skills and you are looking to fill a specialized role,

the saying "hire for attitude, not for skills" may not be as applicable.


In such instances, you may need to prioritize skills over attitude. Certain

positions require a high level of expertise to be carried out successfully, even if

the candidate's attitude may not align perfectly with your expectations.


When discussing attitude and mindset, individuals frequently emphasize

the concepts of a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset. However, there are

numerous other crucial factors to take into account. One such factor is whether

someone is open-minded or narrow-minded when it comes to foreign cultures.


Businesses dealing with international clientele and multicultural teams may find

specialists who lack a growth mindset to be effective. Conversely, individuals

who exhibit narrow-mindedness towards foreign cultures could potentially pose

significant challenges. Certain attitudes are not acceptable when hiring.


Attitude (mindset, personality, and cultural fit) and skills (theoretical knowledge

and work experience) are interconnected, and in every hiring process, it is

essential to delve deeper to learn more about the individual. Each person brings

a unique background, and it is important to uncover all essential aspects.


At the same time, it is crucial to listen to your team in order to determine the

essential attitudes and skills needed or preferred. When defining the attitude of

your team or company, it is important to consider if "you walk what you talk".


Delving beneath the surface can be challenging, especially when faced with

individuals who excel at presenting themselves well, as opposed to candidates

who may not be as skilled at self-promotion. In such scenarios, it is essential to

remember that a flawless personal presentation does not necessarily equate

to the best fit, unless you specifically require someone with exceptional

presentation skills.


Skills can be acquired with talent and dedication. While some individuals have

a natural aptitude for certain skills, others may find it more challenging. Some

excel in numerical tasks, others pick up new languages quickly, some showcase

creativity, while others seem innately skilled in technical areas. There is a wide

range of talents, and successful skill development requires a combination of

talent, interest, and a willingness to learn.

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