5 Key Human Criteria for Candidate Selection in Your Recruitment Interviews

 It's not easy for a manager to decide which employee to hire, especially for roles with responsibilities. While first impressions are important, intuition isn't always reliable. Beyond technical skills, "human" criteria are equally important to avoid costly mistakes. Here are 5 key selection criteria to help you recruit the right candidate. 

1- Motivation
It's important to understand why the candidate wants to work for your company and specifically for this role. Test their knowledge of your business. If they haven't bothered to research your company and the position beforehand and don't show genuine enthusiasm, question their real motivation.

2- Curiosity
Curiosity is an asset in all fields. Consider it during interviews. If the candidate demonstrates diverse knowledge and interests, it's a good sign they'll adapt easily to new environments and changing situations.

3- Taking Responsibility 
Candidates who wait to be told what to do don't belong in the company. For any position, a candidate needs initiative and autonomy. Evaluate this by asking about projects they've worked on and the relevance of their questions during the interview.

4- Mobility
Mobility, especially if your company works internationally, is a key selection criterion. Candidates willing to relocate show flexibility and ambition. If a candidate hesitates, take note; it's unlikely to change.

5- Verbal Communication
Oral fluency is crucial. Pay attention to the structure of their answers, vocabulary, tone, and speed. Expressions matter; formal language is important. At a certain level of responsibility, you can't afford to hire someone uncomfortable or unable to speak properly to an audience; this would affect your company's image. Beyond the interview, reference checks and personality tests help confirm your observations.

Take time to check the candidate's past performance and interpersonal skills with former employers before making a final decision. This will avoid unpleasant surprises. While not a determining factor, tests of values, motivations, and personality can reveal behavioral and managerial skills. If test results clash with your own perception, reconsider…


Philippe Montant, CEO ExeKutive.biz