Some managers use pre-employment tests to obtain certain astute insights. However I discovered hiring games managers play. I found a shocking realization to help you avoid a huge hiring mistake – avoid hiring ‘a square peg for a round hole.’ Some managers try to fit-in a job applicant even though they are different from their super-star employees. Learn about hiring games managers play which result in hiring mistakes and employing losers.
I’VE RECEIVED A “DEJA VU” PHONE CALL HUNDREDS OF TIMES!
You will benefit from hearing a phone call I received hundreds of times from managers at a big variety of companies. I call it a deja vu phone call, because I have gotten the same phone call so many times that, as Yogi Berra quipped, “It’s like déjà vu all over again.” And so the hiring games managers play that result in hiring mistakes of bringing on board unproductive and undependable employees begins.
In this phone call I receive, a manager who uses my pre-employment tests calls me, and says, “I want to hire an applicant, but the applicant got horrible scores on your pre-employment tests. But, I loved the applicant in the interview. What should I do?” I always respond, “Well, that’s up to you.” To which the manager always asks me, “O.K. but, Dr. Mercer, what should I do?”
Invariably, the problem boils down to this: A company using the employment tests has customized “Benchmark Scores.” Those are scores its superstars or best employees typically earn on the tests. To help hire the best, the company obviously should prefer applicants who get pre-employment test scores similar to its best employees’ “Benchmark” test scores. However, the manager making the “Deja Vu” phone call has an applicant who scored very different than the company’s superstars’ “Benchmark” test scores.
So, I explain, “The pre-employment test and its benchmark scores are the only customized and accurate prediction method you use. Then, I continue, “So, you want to hire applicants who get test scores similar to your superstar employees, plus also do well in all other prediction methods, such as interviews, reference and background checks, and realistic job observations.”
Suddenly, the truth comes out.
The manager played hiring games which could have resulted in a whopper hiring mistake:
Hiring a ‘square peg for a round hole,’ specifically, hiring a lousy applicant.
Here are 3 Hiring Games Managers Play – that can result in
the blunder of ‘hiring a square peg for a round hole.”
Here are 3 hiring games managers play:
Hiring Game #1 = SEMI-PSEUDO-RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
The manager hopes – or hallucinates – the applicant’s seemingly relevant work experience is transferable to success in the manager’s company. This often is an incorrect assumption. Just because an applicant did similar work does not mean the applicant will be productive in the new job.
Hiring Game #2 = FALLING IN LOVE – WITH THE APPLICANT
This is a shockingly common mistake managers make. Why? First, research proves most managers do not know how to interview applicants nor make correct judgments based on interviews. Second, job hunters know interviewing tricks that knock-your-socks-off.
Here are 3 actions a well-rehearsed applicant uses to make a manager ‘fall in love’ with them and make hiring mistakes:
The applicant uses charm tricks of
1. entering room with big smile, looks manager in eye, and gives nice handshake
2. complimenting the manager’s office or a photo or momento in the manager’s office
3. making the manager laugh or smile in the first 120 seconds
After ‘falling in love’ with and hiring the super-charmer, a manager frequently feels foolish, like lyrics of Dierk Smedley’s song: “I knew what I was feeling. But, what was I thinking?”
Hiring Game #3 = TOO LAZY or TOO BUSY TO FIND A BETTER APPLICANT
After a manager admits to being seduced by semi-pseudo-relevant work experience and ‘falling in love’ with a charming applicant, then the truth comes out: The manager feels too lazy to find more applicants.
But here is the bottom line: A manager will spend less time finding a superb applicant than the manager wastes while managing an average or below-average applicant – and applicant who never should have been hired. Plus, a productive employee proves vastly more profitable.
So, I always assure the manager by saying, “I know it’s a hassle to find more applicants, but I’m sure you can find applicants who will turn into top-notch employees.”
SHOCKING REALIZATION =
EACH TIME YOU HIRE SOMEONE, YOU ARE BETTING
YOUR JOB & COMPANY
After discussing Hiring Games 1, 2 and 3, I say this to the hiring manager to convince them it is worthwhile to find better applicants: “Hiring is like betting. Every time you hire a person you are betting your job, career, and company. Do you feel confident betting on an applicant whose pre-employment test scores were different than benchmark test scores of your best employees?”
There always is silence on the phone. Then, the manager slowly speaks up and says, “You’re right – I am betting my career and the company each time I hire someone. Now, I realize I need to find a better applicant. It’s worth my time and energy.”
5 LESSONS from DEJA VU PHONE CALLS
1. Pre-employment tests which are customized for jobs in your company are most accurate way to predict if an applicant may succeed in your company. Don’t bet against test results.
2. Don’t hallucinate past work experience translates into productivity at your company.
3. Never ‘fall in love’ with a charming, well-rehearsed job applicant.
4. Laziness in hiring squanders money and time when you fail to hire the best.
5. Hiring is betting. Is an applicant worth betting your job, career, and company?
RECOMMENDATION:
Bet on job applicants who (a) get scores like your best employees’ scores on pre-employment tests, and also (b) rate well on all other prediction methods you use.
That makes a good bet for your job, career, and company.
