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Again and again, I experience both myself, and my professional colleagues, that typically SME’s are making the same recruitment errors.

Getting that resource in “quick” to finish off some work, or “taking a punt because we’re desperate”, is not the way to recruit staff. One needs to show diligence, a concerted effort to check detail, check over the CV. Background checks. Regardless of what people will tell you, most SME’s are not doing thorough background checks. I KNOW! I’ve checked!

What about technical competency tests for technical people? It takes but a moment to set up a free on-line technical survey, post up some multiple choice well researched questions relating to the field, and emailing it off to your candidate.

What about the interviewers? 26% of candidates are lost because THEY have chosen not to work for the hiring company based on the quality of the interviewer! Asking the wrong questions is a no-no, not being qualified enough to actually interview the person is another common mistake. The BIGGEST mistake however, is the HR minefield, and that of illegal questioning.

I’ve cringed in interviews, and then promptly walked away from the company after, due to some ill-advised middle manager or CEO with little understanding, asking things such as “how old are you”, or “are you married”, “do you have children” etc. Post interview, companies look at me goggle-eyes when I advise them this is wrong, and their lack of understanding is undermining them, and their business.