| What are the characteristics of a great employee? How can you identify those qualities as you go through the hiring process? And how do you track employees’ performance after you hire them?
The first quality you should look for is personality. If the position you are looking for requires that the employee interact with your customers and with your other employees, personality is critical.
If, on the other hand, the position involves little human contact, personality isn’t nearly as important. We all know—and have worked with—people who are content to sit alone in a room and go about their business. Many accountants, for example, might be more comfortable working with numbers than they are working with people. I’m not being dismissive here; those people provide a valuable service to you and your company, but they probably don’t find making personal connections very exciting.
When you meet with candidates for a position that requires human interaction, go with your gut. What’s your first reaction? How do you feel about the candidates’ demeanors? Are they pleasant, relaxed? Are they people you feel a connection with and who you think will form good connections with other members of your team?
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