I cannot stress enough the importance of creating consistency in your hiring process. Consistency provides you with the same selection criteria and reference points for making decisions and, most important, it plays a part in keeping your hiring process legally defensible.
A strong hiring process should include the Winslow Assessment, behavior-based interview and traditional areas of review, such as resumes, education, background checks, and experience. Remember, The Winslow Assessment serves as one valuable data point in the overall hiring process.
Four reasons for consistency:
Consistency during hiring sets a company standard. It shows you value your current workforce and have a standard on who you’re bringing in.
Consistency creates a fair playing field for your candidates. Each candidate is treated with respect, and they each have an equal chance of influencing you and getting the job (via interview, assessment, past performance, etc.). There are no favorites. Consistency in the process increases your protection against discrimination claims.
Consistency and a step-by-step hiring process allows you to take a bit more time to evaluate assessment scores and rethink what you’ve heard and observed during the interview. Many times, during this pause, you’ll realize your instinctual first choice really isn’t as good a fit for the position (or your office culture) as your second or even third choice (dependent on trait scores, objectivity of the candidate, etc.).
Consistency stops the mis-hires that can happen when you don’t thoroughly assess a candidate because they feel like a good fit. They interviewed well after all, and then three months later, they implode (or explode!) because of their low Control, high Assertiveness, low Conscientiousness, low Composure or Tough-mindedness, just to name a few. Having a consistent hiring process ensures that everyone goes through the same evaluation. Not doing so can create ill will between employees because you haven’t used the same criteria for everyone
The bottom line: Take your time and map out a consistent hiring process that treats all candidates and employees fairly.
No doubt, hiring decisions are challenging. By being consistent and having a plan, you’ll become more confident and comfortable in your decisions. And please, always feel free to reach out to me when you need to review candidate or employee assessment results. That’s exactly what I’m here for!
