Managing Expectations: Key Considerations for Hiring Leads in an Evolving Job Market
Hiring the right talent is a challenging task, especially in today’s fast-evolving job market. Many hiring leads hold strong opinions about what makes an ideal candidate, but these expectations sometimes be counterproductive. Below, we address several common concerns and offer alternative perspectives that can help hiring leads approach recruitment more strategically and effectively.
1. “I do not want to hire anyone who has not stayed in their role for at least two years.”
Long tenures are considered a sign of stability and loyalty, but the job market has changed dramatically. Studies show that many professionals, particularly younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z, change jobs more frequently than previous generations. In fact, the average tenure of sales people is 18-24 months, and this is not necessarily a sign of instability.
Moreover we are experiencing one of the most turbulent job markets in nearly 20 years with Covid, Tech layoff’s and the rise of AI leading to even the most talented people being laid-off a couple of times over the last 4 years.
Our solution
Rather than focusing solely on tenure, it’s essential to assess the quality of the work they accomplished during their time at each company and evaluate the previous employers stability. A short tenure in one role may have allowed them to gain diverse experiences or work in fast-paced environments where adaptability is key.
2. “Good performers do not get made redundant.”
A common misconception and one of the most frustrating judgements made by hiring managers. Even high performers are sometimes impacted by factors outside their control, such as company restructuring, economic downturns, or industry-wide layoffs. For example, during the pandemic, 60% of workers globally considered quitting or were laid off, regardless of performance.
Redundancies often have more to do with organizational priorities or budget cuts than individual performance.
Our Solution
Instead, explore their contributions in previous roles and ask about the context of the layoffs. In some cases, these individuals may bring valuable resilience and experience gained from navigating challenging environments. Asking specific questions at interview and utilizing references both formal and informal help present a more complete picture of a candidates performance.
3. “A jumpy CV makes me nervous, so I want to keep the position open longer.”
A CV that shows frequent job changes can indeed be a red flag, but context is crucial. While a "jumpy" CV might make a hiring lead hesitant, it's important to delve into the reasons behind the moves. Perhaps the candidate was pursuing opportunities for growth, working in high-turnover industries, or facing personal challenges. With 45% of workers globally actively seeking new opportunities, frequent changes are not uncommon.
Our Solution
Consider conducting a deeper interview to understand why the candidate moved between roles and what they learned in each position. Delaying hiring because of assumptions about a CV can cause you to miss out on candidates who could be a perfect fit for the role.
4. “The candidate will not share some of their results, so I will not take them forward.”
While transparency is important, there are legitimate reasons why candidates might not disclose certain details about their previous work. Many candidates work on confidential projects or under strict NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) that prevent them from sharing specific metrics or results. In such cases, it’s essential to assess their overall approach, problem-solving skills, and how they describe their contributions in general terms.
Our Solution
Instead of immediately disqualifying candidates, ask them to explain their processes, methodologies, or team dynamics in ways that do not violate confidentiality. Their ability to explain the steps they took to achieve success can be just as valuable as sharing exact numbers.
Conclusion
Hiring leads need to be open to adapting their expectations to the realities of today’s job market. By focusing more on the quality of a candidate’s experience, flexibility, and adaptability, rather than adhering to traditional benchmarks, hiring managers can make more informed decisions and ultimately build stronger teams.