Hiring employees that lack experience

The adage of “attitude is everything” is never more important than when hiring employees.  When making hiring decisions, it is always good when we find someone that has good work experience.  However, sometimes that can be misleading and candidates who are eager to learn are really a better long-term fit. Following are some good reasons to hire someone who lacks experience:

1)     Focusing on a candidate’s soft skills might be a greater indication of abilities.  Sometimes a position is highly technical and we need someone who has certain certifications.  When we find them, it is important also to remember that abilities do not always mean they work well with others.  Soft-skills and emotional intelligence are equally as important.  Ultimately, we need to focus on candidates that want the job, can do the job (with perhaps some training), and understand the importance of the job!

2)     They are eager to learn and often appreciate the investment made in them for training and development.   Having someone demonstrate faith in their abilities when hiring them, enables Candidates to think more long-term in their tenure with an organization.  Additionally, candidates are often more engaged as they understand there is more vertical growth opportunities as they progress in their career. Employees are more hesitant to leave when they know that someone has invested in them.

3)     Candidates lacking experience will not have to unlearn potentially bad habits.  This is especially true when looking for employees in highly specified roles.  Someone may have 20 years of experience but may also be adept at shortcuts.  Training someone on the job enables employers to instill good habits for long-term success.

In conclusion, investing in potential employees based upon their attitude, eagerness to learn, and soft skills are a great indication of long-term success.  Plus, training them for their future means long-term employee engagement and lessened turnover!