6 Signs You've Made The Wrong Hiring Decision

The first 2-4 months of a new hire are critical.

The first few months of a new employee joining a company is a test for you.  For them, it is to see whether they can do the job as well as they told you they could, and for you (as the hiring manager) to see whether you made the right hiring decision.

To help avoid making the wrong hiring decision download our complimentary recruitment guides to help you, or put your trust into a professional’s hands.  These warning signs might not mean you’ve made a bad hire but can indicate problems further into the new employees’ time with your company.

They make the same mistakes

Your new employee is bound to make mistakes; no amount of training can cover everything the job will entail, whether it is a junior or senior role. However, if you have provided additional meetings and training sessions to go over the mistake, you should expect your employees to not make them anymore.  Continuous mistakes may mean a lack of attention and willingness to learn, as well as being lazy and unable.

They wait for you to tell them what to do

All employees need a little guidance when they start a new company; however, after a few days or weeks, you should expect some work initiative.  Employees who wait to be given the next step are unlikely to ever become a star performer.

They don't get to know anybody

Office culture is an ever-increasing necessity; it adds so many positives to your company, including strengthening your brand, and boosting motivation and productivity. If a new employee isn’t gelling with their colleagues, it could mean they have problems working in teams, or they might not plan on staying with the company long.

They don't have any questions

It’s impossible to know everything about a new job.  Your new hire should be asking questions – it shows engagement and interest in the position. Questions relating to the business are also a good sign meaning they're still interested in learning more about the company they’re working for.  If they’re not asking questions, it could mean they think they know everything about the position or are not motivated.

They compare this job to their previous job

Trusting the company you work for means trusting the way they do things.  If a new employee is constantly comparing your company to their previous one, it could mean they prefer their old way of doing things.  They should be adapting to how your company does things; it’s a big warning sign if they’re not.

They're never there

If a new hire is late, always sick and is always taking extra-long lunches, they’re lacking the motivation to want to be a great employee.  This is a red flag in any industry and level.

It’s not the end of the world if you make the wrong hiring decision – seek advice and gain others’ opinions on hiring in the future.

Recovering from a bad hiring decision can be challenging. Read Oakstone’s blog on recovering from a bad hiring decision.