Hiring a new employee is a frightening process. The team feels comfortable and accustomed to old habits, and bringing in someone new will change how the company operates.

As long as you take the time to hire the right employee, this will be a positive change. Find out how you can hire the best candidate to work for your company with the following tips.

Ask the Right Questions During the Interview

You have the applicant’s cover letter and resume, so you know all about the candidate’s skill set, job history, and accomplishments.

Now, you want to get to know the person, and that means you need to ask the right questions. Some great get-to-know-you questions include:

• What is an accomplishment that you’re proud of?
• What is a personal or professional goal you hope to achieve?
• What is your biggest pet peeve?
• What is an animal that you identify with?
• How have you overcome hardships at work in the past?

Some questions might seem like icebreakers, but they each have a deeper meaning. You’ll gather more information about the applicant’s personality, goals, accomplishments, and how they work with others. Each of these are key elements that you need to be aware of before offering a position.

How Will the Candidate’s Personality Complement the Team?

Asking some of the questions listed above will give you ample information about the candidate’s personality. Now, you must think about how they will complement the rest of the team. Not everyone on the team must be exactly alike, but they need to be able to work together. Are they likely to butt heads, or do you think they’ll provide the necessary balance your company needs?

Does the Applicant Seem Adaptable?

One of the most important qualities new hires should have is adaptability. Work environments and business proceedings differ between companies. While training is a necessary part of hiring a new employee, you want to ensure the candidate possesses adaptable qualities.

This trait will increase the likelihood of the person fitting into the company and getting used to new procedures quickly. Everyone can get to work without worrying about if the new hire requires guidance for months on end.

Establish a List of Nonnegotiable Skills for the Candidates

Job listings often include a long list of skills and requirements. Sometimes, the candidates won’t fulfill every listed requirement.

If you need to choose between several intelligent candidates that are lacking in a few areas of the list, narrow the options down by determining which skill sets are non-negotiable.

For example, you might need the applicant to be proficient in a particular program or have a certain bachelor’s degree. Whatever the features may be, discuss the nonnegotiable items with the hiring team. This will help you narrow down your choice and ensure you hire the best candidate to work for your company.

Practice Honest Communication Among the Hiring Team

Occasionally, people will avoid mentioning their true thoughts and feelings. This can make the process even more challenging from the hiring team’s perspective.

There are several ways to improve candor at work and find new tactics to implement during these tough conversations. Your honesty and professionalism will inspire others to speak freely. This will result in more productive discussions and increase everyone’s confidence in hiring the next new employee of the company.