When it Comes Down to the Wire, How Do You Decide Between Job Applicants?

12.02.18 | Looking to Hire, Management Tips

One of the best problems to have as a hiring manager is two standout candidates you want to hire. Too often, you have the opposite problem when you don’t have a single star from your search and you’re forced to settle. With two great options, you know no matter what, you’re getting an exceptional employee. Use these tips to make the decision between two candidates.

Think About Your Culture

At the end of the day, you know both applicants are qualified, so you need to find the one who will fit in best with your company culture. One of the easiest tests is to think about an after-hours work event. Which candidate seems like they will fit in the best in this environment with the rest of your team?

Decide What You’re Actually Looking For

Break down the position by skills, team members, cultures, etc. Create an ideal version of the employee you’d like to hire and see which candidate aligns best with what you envision. This way, you’re looking at them from all angles and matching them to who you feel would be the perfect fit.

Talk to Your Teammates

This works in two ways: First by talking to those who were also in the interview to gauge their opinion, and second my discussing the matter with the new hire’s team. When you do this, you’re bringing in new insight that may help you see the matter more clearly and come to a decision faster. Plus, you’re including their teammates, which will make them feel more involved and more like they had a say in who joined them.

Consider Your Offer

Even if a candidate has made it this far with you, it doesn’t mean they will automatically say yes when you extend an offer. Additionally, the fact you really want them might mean they’re equally desired elsewhere. Once you’ve made your choice, it’s important to make sure your offer is competitive, and expresses how much you want to hire this person.

Failing to tailor an offer or go higher than you anticipated might mean they pass for another opportunity or reject what you initially present, causing the process to go longer. If you really want this candidate, you need to prove it.

Find Top Candidates With Workbox Staffing

When you want to find the best, don’t settle for your usual methods or other staffing companies. Trust Workbox – not only do we promise the best, we deliver. Every employee who comes into our system has been thoroughly vetted to make sure, without fail, we’re presenting the absolute top-tier talent to you. Find out more about our areas of specialty and what we can do for you today!