In the fast-paced world of businesses, finding the perfect candidate is more of a myth than reality. It’s not feasible for a person to have all the qualities required for a specific job. However, it’s important to note that adaptability and flexibility are both essential factors in a candidate. If a candidate demonstrates passion to learn, and has desired cognitive ability, it is smart to consider them.
A person is unlikely to 100% match with the job description. Skill gaps exist everywhere. But this gap can be bridged by effective training and familiarity with the work environment. The pursuit of perfection leads to missed opportunities and a delayed hiring process. So, is it really beneficial for your company? Stay with us as we discuss the flaws of pursuing perfection.
1. Increased time-to-hire
Time-to-hire refers to the time frame from posting a job to the candidate accepting the offer. Prolonged recruitment process drains away company resources as more money is spent on advertising, sourcing, screening, and interviewing. The more you chase perfection, the longer it takes to fill a role. Instead of looking for someone that ticks off every checkbox, if a company focuses on finding the right candidate, it leads to a faster hire and facilitates organisational growth.
2. Employee burnout
The longer a company takes to find the perfect candidate, the more stress and responsibilities pile upon the existing workforce. This can cause burnout and a toxic work environment, which will deter the team dynamic.
3. Halts the growth of the company
Effective recruitment processes involve coordination among the workforce. A lengthy and complicated hiring process affects the overall performance of your company as the workforce is focusing more on the recruitment rather than the core competencies. Going for a 100% match can significantly cause more loss for a company.
4. Losing out on the potential right candidate
Every individual brings a set of strengths and certain weaknesses to the table. Looking only at the weaknesses clouds the recruiter’s judgement, leading to the rejection of that candidate. An individual may lack a certain skill, but if he demonstrates adaptability and has enough transferable skills, it’s important to consider them.
Embracing a better and realistic approach
Potential to grow and learn is just as important when it comes to hiring. A candidate with transferable skills, a strong work ethic, and cognitive abilities can contribute to the overall growth of the company. Another factor is soft skills. Unlike technical skills, soft skills are harder to teach.
New ideas, perspectives, problem-solving abilities, and flexibility come from within and candidates with these skills don’t wait around to be employed. Top companies often prioritise candidates with these skills. Instead of hunting for perfection, setting realistic job standards allows for better growth of the company.
Conclusion
Many people have excelled in their field despite not having the perfect resume. The thing is, you have to look at a candidate from all angles. A candidate shouldn’t have to tick off the checkboxes in a job description. A person has certain cognitive abilities that make them who they are. The uniqueness of a person brings out the best in them. By bringing in fresh perspectives and a passion to learn, the right candidate can contribute to organisational growth. That’s why a recruiter needs to find new talents rather than chasing 100% matches.