Five Smart Tactics to find the Perfect hire
A polished CV and well-rehearsed interview answers only tell you part of a candidate's story. The real challenge is discovering if they have the right attitude, initiative, and personality to fit into your team. A bad hire can be a costly mistake, but these five subtle tests can help you choose your next employee with confidence.
1. The Job Ad Filter
Quickly weed out candidates who are sending out mass applications without much thought. Simply build a small, specific request into your job listing.
How it works: Ask candidates to answer a particular question, name their favourite brand in your industry, or include a specific phrase in their cover letter's subject line.
Why it's effective: It immediately highlights those who have read your advert carefully and can follow instructions—a crucial skill in any role.
2. The Real-World Task
Instead of asking predictable interview questions, give candidates a practical, relevant challenge to tackle.
How it works: Present them with a short task related to the role, a common workplace scenario to respond to, or a quick problem to solve.
Why it's effective: You will learn far more about their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to perform under pressure than you would from a standard Q&A session.
3. The Receptionist Test
A candidate’s character is often revealed when they think no one important is watching. Observe how they interact with your team members before the formal interview begins.
How it works: Casually ask your receptionist or the first person who greets them for their impression.
Why it's effective: Courtesy and respect shown to everyone, not just the interviewer, is a powerful indicator of how they will treat their future colleagues and your clients.
4. The Coffee Cup Test
This simple test reveals a surprising amount about a candidate’s initiative and sense of responsibility.
How it works: Offer your interviewee a drink (water, tea, or coffee) at the start. When the interview is over, pay attention to what they do with the empty cup or glass.
Why it's effective: Do they simply leave it behind, or do they offer to take it to the kitchen or ask where it should go? This small act demonstrates their willingness to pitch in and be a considerate team member.
5. The Casual Walk-and-Talk
The formal interview is over, and the pressure is off. This is the perfect time to get a glimpse of the real person.
How it works: As you walk the candidate out of the building, continue the conversation casually. Ask about their journey in or their plans for the rest of the day.
Why it's effective: People often relax and let their guard down once they feel the "test" is over. This informal chat can reveal more about their genuine personality and how they might integrate with your team culture.