It usually costs thousands of dollars to bring on a new employee. As a result, if the new hire underperforms, it can be extremely disappointing.

While it is easy to blame the less-than-ideal outcome on the selected candidate, they aren’t solely responsible for the situation. In many cases, the hiring process also plays a role in the new hire’s failure.

If you are wondering how the hiring process could be responsible for underperformers, here are a few situations that demonstrate this tough truth.

The Hiring Process Moved Too Fast

When a company is in dire need of a new employee, it often works to fill the position as quickly as possible. While having a sense of urgency isn’t inherently a bad thing, it can cause problems if it leads to overlooking potential issues that suggest a candidate isn’t a great fit.

A rushed hiring process creates room for mistakes. Red flags get ignored, or signs of a cultural mismatch aren’t fully considered. In some cases, reference and background checks are even skipped, preventing the company from knowing critical details that might otherwise impact its decision.

While trying to move quickly might make sense, companies still need to practice due diligence when hiring. Make sure no steps are skipped in the name of speed. Similarly, don’t settle for a candidate who isn’t a good fit just because you think you need to fill the spot fast. It’s nearly always better to wait for a quality match, particularly if you want to avoid a bad hire.

Soft Skills Weren’t Taken into Consideration

It’s no secret hard skills are a critical part of determining whether a candidate could excel in a job. However, soft skills are also incredibly important, and failing to assess a job seeker’s capabilities in that area could lead to a bad hiring decision.

As you vet candidates, make sure to examine their soft skills. Consider their potential for growth, attitude, communication skills, and how well they will fit into your team. Often, it’s better to hire a candidate with great soft skills and the ability to learn the hard skills you need than rely solely on hard skills and ignoring soft skills when making a decision.

The Onboarding Process Was Subpar

A poor (or nonexistent) onboarding process means your new hires aren’t set up for success. They are being tossed into a new environment without much guidance, and that makes it harder for them to meet expectations.

While onboarding process needs vary from one company (or even one position) to the next, having a thorough approach is a must. Make sure your new hires understand expectations and have all the information they need to start off on the right foot. Not only will this increase the quality of their outputs, but it will also help them reach full productivity faster and eliminate underperformers.

Ultimately, a company’s hiring process can affect the performance of their new hires and even create underperformers. By avoiding the issues above, you can make sure your newest team members are the best fits possible and are set up for success. If you’d like to find out more, the staff at CPS Recruitment can help. Contact us to speak with a member of our recruitment team today and see how our hiring expertise can benefit you and bring you the best employees in Upstate NY.