The JobSync Blog
Hiring for attitude
August 17, 2011
Growing numbers of employers with unique corporate cultures have realized that – more than experience – an employee’s attitude is a critical component of whether that individual will survive and thrive at their company. And by extension, attitudes collectively will influence whether that company will remain competitive and profitable as well. Recognizing their own corporate distinctiveness, these businesses seek individuals with the appropriate attitude to fill the unusual, specialized roles at their companies that have made them a success.
In a recent piece for the Harvard Business Review, William C. Taylor, the founder of Fast Company magazine, cited several companies that have adopted this “Hire for attitude, train for skill” approach to employees. Such businesses feel that a prospective employee’s work background takes a back seat to attitude. To that end, they would rather hire someone with the right attitude but little obvious related experience than hire an expert with the wrong attitude.
A great example of a company employing “Hire for attitude, train for skill” is Southwest Airlines. For over 40 years, Southwest has prospered in one of the most competitive and difficult industries thanks to its employees. As one former human resources executive at Southwest has noted, “The first thing we look for is the ‘warrior spirit.’ So much of our history was born out of battles — fighting for the right to be an airline, fighting off the big guys who wanted to squash us, now fighting off the low-cost airlines trying to emulate us. We are battle-born, battle-tried people. Anyone we add has to have some of that warrior spirit.”
In the battle for matching candidates with companies that desire a certain attitude, JobSync has a distinct advantage over traditional job applications and recruiting. Resumes and standard online forms do little to capture the attitudes that companies are clamoring for. However, JobSync’s unique evaluation of a candidate’s personality focuses on candidates that fit and allows hiring managers to target those candidates that are most compatible.
Does your business have an attitude problem? Email us at info@jobsync.com. We’d like to help.
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