Hire for Attitude and Train for Skill

This is not a novel idea. You’ve likely heard many variations that all sing the same tune – attitude over aptitude, character over competency, hire for who they are versus what they know.

But there is some truth to all these kitschy alliterations.

You can do everything in your power to equip your team members with new skills to better perform their jobs, but those skills will only stick if the employees are motivated to learn and willing to give it full effort.

In a small business, getting the right people on your team is essential because every single person has the potential to make a significant impact on the business – for better or worse.

How to Screen for Attitude

Your first look at a potential employee is usually through their CV (unless you get a referral from someone else who sings their praises). And a CV tells you a lot – their skills and qualifications, their attention to detail, maybe some of their personal interests.

After reading it, you might be thinking, “wow, this candidate sure seems to have it all.”

But there’s more than just technical know-how when it comes to evaluating a potential employee. For virtual teams in particular, you want to be sure the people you hire actually want to work with you – and are not just skilled mercenaries.

Below are some questions you can ask. Some are designed to throw them off-guard so you can see how well they navigate the unexpected. While the interview process can be inherently stressful for a candidate, it’s one of your few opportunities to give them a chance to sell themselves, so ask away.

• What questions do you have about our business?
• What are some ways you will contribute to our business?
• On a scale of 1-10, how interested are you in the position/business?

Employees who are truly interested in the position and your company will handle the pressure of these possibly unexpected questions with greater ease than someone who has a skills-first mindset.

Don’t get us wrong, you absolutely need someone who can do the job, but in our experience, it’s far easier to train someone if they have a willing attitude and can demonstrate their ability to be a team player.

Now, go forth and hire!