Today, I sat in on two interviews as part of the panel to select new employees at my place of work and walked away absolutely amazed at how contrasting the two interviews were; they couldn't have been more opposite.
Both interviewees were of a similar age and both were qualified for the job they'd applied for. On paper one seemed a little more suited through experience and a higher level of education. Both had the ability to start immediately and didn't live too far away so travel to work wouldn't be a problem. So what set them so far apart?
Attitude.
One of them was engaged, happy, personable and gave off a nice vibe; this candidate seemed like someone we could work with but importantly someone we could socialise with meaning that the overall feel was of someone we liked. The other seemed arrogant and gave off a feel of being quite imperious, self-absorbed and I got the impression that the candidate was possibly quite egotistical. These are not qualities we value within the business.
Selecting the right person doesn't always come down to skills and education; those things are important, no doubt, but they are not the only things we consider when considering new on-boards. The person needs to fit the culture, add value from a human perspective not just from a job-function perspective, and enhance the existing culture, improve it. I felt strongly that one candidate fitted that mold and the other did not.
Attitude is everything in my opinion and while a person also needs to have the right skills, I don't understand a person arriving for an interview and not clearly demonstrating the right attitude; if they are like that at the initial interview when they are supposed to be leaving a good first impression, what would they be like six months into the role?
One of the candidates made it to the next round and one did not. The person who made it through was not the most skilled or educated, it was the other person whose attitude felt right and who left the panel of three interviewers feeling engaged and enthused to learn more.
Attitude.
It opens doors or closes them.