We treat hiring like a transaction when it's actually a relationship.
After hiring 300+ people directly
Here's what I know that most miss:
The best hires aren't found in 30-minute interviews.
They're discovered when you actually invest time.
Most hiring feels rushed because it is rushed.
We post jobs, scan resumes for 6 seconds, conduct rapid-fire interviews, then wonder why 40% of new hires don't work out.
The real problem?
We treat hiring like a transaction when it's actually a relationship.
Here's what actually works (from 300+ hires):
1. Spend real time with final candidates
→ Multiple conversations, not just interviews
→ See them in different contexts
→ Let them interview you too
I once spent 8 hours with a candidate over 3 meetings.
Excessive? That hire built our entire European operation.
2. Show them the actual work
→ No hypotheticals
→ Real problems you're facing
→ Let them solve alongside you
Watch how they think, not what they claim.
3. Let them meet the team informally
→ Coffee, lunch, walking meetings
→ You learn more in 20 minutes of casual conversation
→ No 2 hour formal interviews, please
4. Check energy, not just skills
→ Skills can be taught
→ Energy alignment can't
→ Do you feel energized or drained after talking?
Your gut knows.
5. Move fast on great people
→ When you find someone exceptional, don't let process slow you down
→ Great talent has options
→ I've lost incredible hires to companies that moved 2 days faster
The uncomfortable truth:
Most bad hires happen because we're too busy to hire well.
We shortcut the process, then spend months managing the consequences.
Invest the time upfront.
Your future self will thank you.
What's your biggest hiring lesson?
