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.
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
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.