Stop looking for the perfectly qualified employee

How does the saying go--like trying to find a needle in a haystack?

If you're looking for the perfect employee, you'll never find them. I've hired literally thousands of people in the service industry, and I've got another saying for you: you get what walks in the door. I don't mean that in a derogatory way--that's not a bad thing! What I mean is, you need to shift your paradigm.

Sure, out of 10 applicants, do your best to hire the one you think is most qualified for the job. But when I hire, I don't really put much stock in "qualifications". God knows I've started a few roles and jobs where I sure as heck was not qualified to do the job, but I was able to rock it.

So what should you look for instead?

Commitment. Integrity. Honesty.

I'll take folks with those "qualifications" any day over someone with a resume that could sink a ship. Great employees are made. You train them, and work with them, and give them the tools to learn their role. When you do that, you have an employee for life. My view is, give someone a game, give them the rules, and let them get on with it. Keep training and working with them. Make sure they always have their eye on the top of the mountain.

Stop trying to find that one "qualified employee" that you think will take everything off your plate so you can go fishing. Hire a "quality person" instead. Training takes hard work, patience, and the willingness to watch them make mistakes. It may cost you more money, but it will buy you allegiance.