Checklist to Ensure a Smart Hiring Decision Everytime

websitebuilder • 4 July 2025

Over the years, I have taught new recruiters to have a checklist to use when starting each search for a client. With each candidate interview, they must ensure all of their client’s needs are met.


This can be a lengthy and nuanced list. To save time, there are the three factors we look at to determine if a candidate is worth a deep-dive interview. Every candidate needs to meet these three objectives. If they lack any , we do not proceed with the candidate. This saves a lot of wasted time and allows a Recruiter to ensure they spend additional time with on-target candidates.


1.Specific experience: This is the easiest to check. Their resume will have answered much of this. In just several minutes into an interview, I will determine if the candidate has the experience our client is seeking.


2. High performance: Our clients can find average candidates on their own. We are expected to produce high performers. Know your standards and ask about their on-job performance early in the interview process. If they are “light on details,” they are likely low performers. High performers can always tell you in detail about their successes.


3. Good Teammate: I have learned in 30+ years that many high performers are bad “teammates”, who will work to undermine their colleagues. They do not want other people to match or exceed them. Some enjoy causing issues and ruffling feathers. One “bad teammate” can ruin a whole group. A good teammate will be supportive of their colleagues and help them when they need it. Reference checking skills are valuable here.   (1)


“Trust but verify.” It is essential to follow up with their references to ensure the candidate accurately represents themselves.


If a candidate lacks any of these 3, we will not pursue them. If they have all 3, we go deeper into the interview process.


Please contact me for a confidential consultation


Donald Jasensky

Automotive Personnel, LLC

Don@AutomotivePersonnel.Careers

(216) 226-8190

www.AutomotivePersonnel.Careers


“Hire Like A Pro!” chapters 4 and 5 . Available Amazon.com

A man and a woman are shaking hands during a job interview.

How We Present A Pay Plan That Will Get Accepted

4 July 2025
In the early 1990s I learned how to present a pay plan that will likely be accepted by watching one of my very first clients present pay plans to my candidates.  I sat in on several presentations from John Lance who was the owner of John Lance Ford in Westlake.
A woman is sitting at a table with a laptop and a clipboard.

One sure sign that you are interviewing a future high performer is …

4 July 2025
Over the past 30 years of interviewing candidates and following up on their careers, we have noted one factor that all top performers share. It is also easy to determine if your candidate possesses it - if you know what to look for.
A group of people are sitting around a table having a job interview.

Eliminate the most common hiring mistake

4 July 2025
Mistake: Passing on a high-performing candidate because they did not “blow you away” or “show a lot of enthusiasm” during the 1st interview. I know this goes against what most of us have been taught.
A woman is sitting at a desk with a pen and a resume.

Learn the 4 components needed for a successful hire

4 July 2025
The four components needed to align for a successful hire: Qualified Highly interested Available Affordable  I want you and your hiring managers to learn to think like this. 1- Qualified - Do the candidates have the experience and capacity to excel in your position?
A puzzle with a blue piece that says join our team

What do NASA, Elon Musk, and Warren Buffett look for when hiring?

4 July 2025
What do NASA, Elon Musk, and Warren Buffett look for when hiring? I have studied them and found their thinking very enlightening. I hope you do too.  NASA selecting astronauts for Mars training.  Imagine being in a small space capsule with 6 other astronauts, traveling for 7 months just to get there.
A group of business people are shaking hands in an office.

Professional On-boarding (keeping your new hires)

4 July 2025
Professional On-boarding You see more emphasis put on “on-boarding” new employees. Basically, making sure there is a smooth and as seamless as possible start for a new employee.
A row of wooden people standing next to each other on a blue surface.

Replace the “weak link” on your management team

4 July 2025
A decision that every leader has to make is when to “replace a weak link” on your staff.
Selecting a candidate

How to hire high-performing candidates

4 July 2025
”Position Differential” and why it matters  One of the questions we ask our clients is: Why should a potential candidate consider: taking a position with your company, putting in their 2-week notice, and turning down a counteroffer from their current employer?