Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 774 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:31 pm Post subject: Which Would You Hire?
Joe had a very successful business. He made great money, but at times was rushed. Joe was also approaching an age where he wanted to start taking more time off. He decided he would hire an assistant. Not only would this person be an assistant, he would be “groomed” to take over the business. Joe did not have any children interested in the business and hoped this individual would be able to step in when he retired.
This was a great opportunity for someone, but who? Joe wanted to be sure the person chosen was dedicated, as well as qualified. There were three present people from which to choose.
A senior employee, who knew the technical aspects of the business, but would have to learn the management part. This person had been with the company twenty years and was interested in advancing. Joe felt comfortable he could teach him the management aspects.
A friend who had a similar but much smaller business that was not doing well. This was a very honorable person, that lacked guidance. He had some technical and management experience and believed very much in the same things as Joe. Joe felt with some personal training this person could become a good manager.
A past employee who had held this position before leaving to start their own business. This person already had many of the skills they needed. They had enjoyed working for Joe in the past. With a little update training they could handle the job.
Joe interviewed all three candidates and asked if there were any questions. The first asked, “Will I be allowed to train my replacement?” The second asked, “How many hours would I be expected to work?” The third asked, “How much does the job pay?”
Not much information, does anyone want to offer an opinion?
Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 206 Location: Camp Verde, AZ
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject:
I think that Joe should keep looking.
The senior employee had shown dedication by staying for 20 years. He has found his niche already. I think that moving to this new position would be hard on him. When he asked about training his replacement, it sounds to me like he thinks this will be a temporary position.
Hiring a friend, is a good way to ruin a friendship. If the friends business is not doing well, I do not think that he will do a good job running Joe’s. When he asked about the number of hours he needed to work, it sounds like he lacks dedication to a job. This may be why his business is not doing well.
The past employee probably has most of the skills needed. When he asks about money is sounds like he is only interested in the money and will take a different job if it pays better.
_________________ David Wittmayer
Owner / Manager
Hansen Enterprises Fleet Repair, LLC
Camp Verde, AZ
www.hefrshop.com
Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 774 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:20 am Post subject:
Thanks Dave and Tom,
Quote:
Not much information, does anyone want to offer an opinion?
Certainly there is no right or wrong answer as I asked for an opinion. What the three people represent are three different types of experience.
Man one has no management experience but quite a bit of familiarity with the company, in general. He represents a technical background.
Man two has a mix of technical and management experience and man three has a great deal of management background and has successfully held the job before.
Without knowing more and assuming there are no other major issues with any of the three, I feel the choice comes down to preference. Would you prefer to teach management skills or refine skills that exist.
The comments made by each man tend to skew thinking, much as they do in life. Any single comment is hardly enough to judge an applicants fitness, yet is often a deciding factor. A nervous applicant might ask something we feel is inappropriate and thus seal their fate.
The point I hoped to raise is, I think it is important to try to avoid bias when hiring. It is easy to be swayed by first impressions and comments that may mean little. I think sometimes people are hired because the interviewer "likes them" rather than because they are best qualified. This is unfortunate for the company and unfair to the applicant.
Many large companies use multiple people to interview an applicant, for this reason. Each may see different qualities in the individual. A small business may not have this luxury. Granting more than one interview and introducing the applicant to other staff members may help. Later each staff member might be asked what they think, perhaps giving a more balanced view.
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