5 SIGNS OF A QUALITY HIRE

As the hiring frenzy of the past few years slows down, employers are becoming more selective about who they bring on board. One of the biggest challenges facing recruiters in 2024 is improving the quality of their hires.

In fact, “quality of hire” is the top issue talent acquisition experts believe will shape recruitment over the next five years, followed by employer branding, candidate experience, flexible work arrangements, and upskilling/reskilling employees. This means that time-honored metrics like time-to-fill and acceptance rates are becoming less relevant as hiring managers seek higher-quality candidates equipped to contribute significantly to the organization.

The concept of a ‘quality hire’ is not a fixed notion; it is in a constant state of evolution as new technologies disrupt business as usual and new skills emerge as key factors in the hiring decision. This dynamic shift in the definition of a quality hire is a pivotal aspect of the changing hiring landscape that employers and recruiters must stay abreast of.

Defining a quality hire is often very organization-specific, but there are common denominators that appear across the board. 

1.) Job Performance - does the new hire have the skills to do the job

2.) Team Fit - is the new hire a cohesive fit with the rest of the team

3.) Culture Add - does the new hire reflect the values of the company and enhance the company culture

4.) Productivity - does the new hire produce consistent results and not drop in performance after a few months

5.) Retention - is the new hire a long-term player who will stay with the company

Each of the five metrics—job performance, team fit, culture add, productivity, and retention—are vital in defining a quality hire. They are not isolated criteria, but they synergize and reinforce each other. To be a quality hire, an employee must excel or meet all five metrics, ensuring a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of their suitability for the role and the organization. A clearly defined recruiting process with metrics to evaluate candidates in these five areas is not just beneficial, but essential to a successful search.

As with many aspects of the work environment, quality hiring is a shared responsibility. Yes, candidates are expected to demonstrate and deliver the necessary human skills in today’s workplace. However, organizations also bear the responsibility of being ‘quality employers’. Quality hires are not drawn to subpar companies or roles. This mutual understanding and commitment are key to fostering a culture of quality hiring.

Organizations searching for high-value candidates may need to ask themselves what kind of value they’re offering in return. The bottom line is that quality hires seek quality companies where they can invest their careers—not just put in their time.