Trust your gut: Why intuition can beat experience in hiring
Let’s face it—hiring staff is not easy. You sift through loads of CVs, sit through interviews that feel like awkward first dates, and just when you think you’ve found “the one,” they turn out to be an absolute nightmare from day one. Sound familiar?
Now, I’m not saying throw the CVs in the bin and hire the first person who makes you laugh...but sometimes, going on gut feel can lead to a better hire over obsessing about academics and years of experience.
- CV don’t always tell the truth - People love to embellish. That “proficient in Excel” statement which often means “I can type a cells and make them bold.” Years of experience might look impressive on paper, but do they actually have the skills, attitude, and cultural fit you need? Your gut, on the other hand, picks up on things no resume can—like enthusiasm, curiosity, and whether they’ll make it past the probationary period without creating a trail of havoc in their path.
- Personality over pedigree - A candidate can have all the experience in the world, but if their vibe is off, it’s a warning sign. Ever worked with someone who’s technically proficient but a total drain on team morale? Skills can be taught, but a attitude on the other hand, is priceless.
- A fresh perspective can outshine experience - Sometimes, our best hires are the ones who don’t come with industry baggage. They’re not stuck in old ways, they ask intelligent questions and bring fresh ideas to the table. If you only hire based on experience, you might just end up with a team of people who all think the same way; and that’s no fun for innovation.
- Your gut is smarter than you think - You know when you meet someone, and you just know they’re right for the job? That’s not magic, it’s your intuition picking up on things you can’t quite put into words. Science even backs this up! Your brain is processing micro-signals about confidence, energy, and authenticity faster than you realise. So, if a candidate gives you a good feeling, trust your instincts.
- Culture fit is everything - Your company has a unique DNA, and the wrong hire can throw it off completely. Someone might be a superstar on paper, but if they don’t mesh with your team, it’s going to be a long, painful road. Trusting your instincts helps you spot people who just get it—the ones who’ll thrive in your environment and make Monday mornings enjoyable!
The Bottom Line
Experience is not always everything. Skills can be taught, but personality, attitude, and cultural fit; Those are golden. So next time you’re hiring, don’t ignore your gut feeling, it might just lead you to your next best hire!
And if all else fails start the process again, as the wrong hire will cost your business a lot more than waiting a little longer for the right person to come through the door.
One to One Personnel has been working in the recruitment industry for over twenty years and understands the complexities of hiring staff and the outcomes polarised by good and bad decision making. If you are wondering how to get the very best from your next recruitment campaign, why not get in touch for a candid chat. It could save you £££’s!
Experience is not always everything. Skills can be taught, but personality, attitude, and cultural fit; Those are golden. So next time you’re hiring, don’t ignore your gut feeling, it might just lead you to your next best hire!
And if all else fails start the process again, as the wrong hire will cost your business a lot more than waiting a little longer for the right person to come through the door.
One to One Personnel has been working in the recruitment industry for over twenty years and understands the complexities of hiring staff and the outcomes polarised by good and bad decision making. If you are wondering how to get the very best from your next recruitment campaign, why not get in touch for a candid chat. It could save you £££’s!