AaronMarcelli.org

Posted By Aaron Marcelli on November 16, 2009

Everywhere I have been, with the exception of Montana, there has been talk about the bad economy.  Jobs are a rare commodity these days.  Still, I look forward to leading a team of employees in the future and even just a few months ago had an online post of a position for a fund raiser.  As I received several resumes and did some phone interviews I realized that if I plan to be doing much hiring in the future, I better know what it is I’m going to look for in my staff.  As I often do, I made a list.

• People skills

I’m not impressed with someone who looks good on paper.  I don’t care if you are book smart, street smart, or anything else “smart”, if you make people feel awkward being around you, that’s not the kind of person to have working with others.

Having charisma and helping others to feel better about themselves or being able to initiate meaningful small talk when dealing with them is a skill and one that is not learned through a book or class.  I want a team that goes beyond the minimum in satisfying the “customer” just so they continue to give us their money.  If you work for us, our job is to serve.

• Ability to learn

Again, you may look good on paper, but almost every job will require you to do something you have not done before.  Or if you have done this job before, you have done it differently than your new company is going to want you to do it.  So can you learn?  Are you willing to learn?

Yes, you may get to the point where you know the job so well you develop your own system, but in the beginning stages are you willing to be taught and will you pick up on the requirements or will your boss have to keep showing you the same thing?  It’s important that you are competent in learning new work.

• Special skill

Are you able to do what the job is?  Meaning, if it is a position that requires a lot of typing, are you a good typist?  If the job is being a singer, you better be able to sing.  Not all jobs are as specific or even require a specific, unique skill, but if it does be sure you are looking for that.  If they are good looking and have a great personality but have never touched a computer, they would not be a good hire for your audio/video department.

• Communication

Communication is key at work.  So many times I have experienced misunderstanding or complete work collapses that were due to a breakdown or failure in communication.

Find out if your potential hire understands the need and importance of communication.  Are they someone who assumes a lot?  Do they think they are supposed to move to one thing from the next without letting anyone know?  Do they resent their administrator coming around to make sure things are flowing smoothly?

It will quickly become obvious if an employee does not communicate or fails to understand the need to do so.  Look for someone who seeks to work in a team environment and realizes that keeping others informed is not about being monitored by the bosses but about staying on the same page as a company.

• Good attitude

You just can’t replace or make up for all the good that comes from a cheerful, content, joyful person.  Attitude determines so much at a job.  It will impact how they react to a problem (promise to fix it rather than get defensive) and how they handle conflict (work for the best result over pointing blame).  It’s elementary and not even a work skill, but look for good attitude workers.

Things purposefully left off the list:

A certain degree – I observed that most of the successful people I know do not have degrees for the fields they work in.  Education is important but to say a certain degree is required to even apply is only limiting your business/ministry/etc of some possibly really great fits.

Experience – experience is overrated because no one you are going to hire has worked for you before doing that specific job.  If they are teachable, it is not essential they have done this before.  Plus…..if every job is requiring 3 to 5 years experience, where are you supposed to get the 3 to 5 years?

I also was told by some of the staff at West Ridge Church that when they are looking to hire someone, the supervisors for the open position get together and fill out a personality evaluation according to what they are looking for in the ideal person for that job.  This is a great idea that could save some organizations a lot of headaches by hiring someone who is qualified and enthusiastic but unwilling to go the extra mile or put the people who walk in before the work on their desk.  My hope is that all businesses and ministries would operate smoothly and effectively because they are places where there is a team concept and a group of good, dedicated folks working toward the ultimate goal.

Category: Leadership
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