An HR team debating weather should you hire for potential or experience?

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Should You Hire for Potential or Experience?

March 1, 2023

Kiran Kazim

Kiran Kazim

Content Writer

Picture this: You’re sitting in your office, staring at a stack of resumes, wondering which candidate to bring on board for your company’s latest project. You’ve always believed in hiring based on experience, but lately, you can’t shake the feeling that there might be more to it than that. That’s where the concept to hire for potential comes in! 

In this blog, we’ll explore how hiring for potential can help you find the right person for the job, and why it might just be the key to taking your team to the next level. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s discover the power of potential-based hiring!

Hire for Potential vs. Experience: Which Approach is Best for Your Business?

An experienced hiring manager talks about his approach to hiring for potential

When it comes to hiring new team members, there are two main approaches: hire for potential or hire for experience. Both approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages, and which one you choose depends on a variety of factors.

If you hire for potential, it would mean you are looking for candidates who have the innate qualities and abilities needed to excel in the position, even if they don’t have a lot of prior experience. This approach focuses on a candidate’s personality traits, work ethic, and willingness to learn and grow in the role. On the other hand, hiring for experience prioritizes a candidate’s previous job titles, responsibilities, and accomplishments, assuming that their past success will translate into success in their new role.

While hiring for experience may seem like the safer option, it can also lead to a stagnant work environment where employees are simply going through the motions. Hire for potential, on the other hand, can bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to your team, as well as a hunger to learn and grow.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to hire for potential or experience comes down to the specific needs and goals of your business. If you’re looking for someone to hit the ground running and bring a wealth of industry knowledge to the table, then experience may be the way to go. However, if you’re willing to invest in training and development and you’re looking for someone with the potential to become a future leader in your organization, then hiring for potential might be the right choice.

Hire for Potential vs. Experience: A Closer Look

The graph illustrates the concept of how to hire for potential is a better approach

When it comes to hiring new employees, as discussed earlier, there are two main schools of thought: hire for potential or hire for experience. While both approaches have their own benefits and drawbacks, deciding which one is right for your business can be a daunting task. We’ll now explore the pros and cons of hiring for potential versus experience, as well as some tips for successfully hiring high-potential candidates.

Hire for Potential: The Pros and Cons

One of the biggest advantages to hire for potential is that it allows you to bring in fresh talent with a hunger for learning and growth. These candidates are often enthusiastic, willing to take on new challenges, and eager to prove themselves in their new roles. 

Additionally, hiring for potential can be a great way to increase diversity within your team, as you’ll be looking at a wider range of candidates, rather than just those with the most direct experience.

However, there are also some downsides to hiring for potential. For one thing, these candidates may require more training and development than someone with direct experience, which can be time-consuming and costly. 

Additionally, it can be difficult to accurately gauge a candidate’s potential, and you may end up with someone who is not the right fit for your organization after all.

Hiring for Direct Work Experience: Pros and Cons

Hiring for direct work experience can be a good option if you’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running and requires minimal training. These candidates have already proven themselves in their previous roles, and you can expect them to bring a certain level of expertise and industry knowledge to the table.

However, hiring for experience can also lead to a stagnant work environment, as these candidates may be less likely to think outside the box or bring new ideas to the table. 

Additionally, experienced candidates may be more set in their ways, and may not be as open to learning new skills or adapting to new processes.

When to Hire for Experience?

There are some cases where hiring for experience is the best choice. For example, if you’re looking for someone to fill a high-level position, such as a CEO or CFO, you’ll want to find someone with a proven track record of success in similar roles. 

Similarly, if you’re in a highly specialized industry, such as healthcare or engineering, you may need to find someone with specific technical skills and experience.

When to Hire for Potential?

A hiring manager sits at a desk with a computer screen and illustrates the concept of how to hire for potential

When you hire for potential, it can be a good choice if you’re looking to add diversity to your team, or when you’re looking for someone to take on a more junior role with room for growth. 

Additionally, if you’re looking for someone who is enthusiastic and willing to learn, hiring for potential may be the way to go. For example, if you’re launching a new project and need someone to help you build the team from the ground up, hiring for potential can help you find the right people to bring on board.

How to Hire for Potential?

Hiring for potential can be a great way to find talented and motivated individuals who will be a valuable addition to your team. But how do you identify these candidates during the hiring process? Here are some tips for successfully hiring for potential:

  • Look beyond the resume

To successfully hire for potential, it’s crucial to consider a candidate’s skills, personality traits, and ability to adapt and learn. While work experience and qualifications are certainly important, they’re not the only factors to consider. Look for evidence of other skills, such as leadership, problem-solving ability,  and a willingness to learn.

  • Conduct skills assessments

Skills assessments are a great way to evaluate a candidate’s potential. You can use assessments to evaluate a range of skills, from technical knowledge to soft skills such as communication and collaboration. These assessments can help you identify candidates who have the potential to succeed in the role, even if they don’t have direct experience.

  • Use behavioral interviewing techniques

Behavioral interviewing techniques are designed to help you get a sense of a candidate’s personality and work style. During a behavioral interview, you’ll ask questions that are designed to elicit specific examples of how the candidate has handled challenging situations in the past. This can help you get a better sense of their problem-solving ability, communication skills, and overall potential.

  • Look for a growth mindset

Candidates with a growth mindset are those who believe that their abilities and intelligence can be developed over time. These individuals are more likely to embrace challenges, learn from feedback, and persist in the face of setbacks. Look for evidence of a growth mindset during the hiring process, such as a willingness to take on new challenges or an eagerness to learn.

  • Consider cultural fit

Finally, it’s important to consider the cultural fit when hiring for potential. You want to find candidates who will fit in well with your team and share your company’s values and vision. Look for evidence of cultural fit during the interview process, such as a shared passion for the work you do or a similar work style to your current team members.

By following these tips, you can identify candidates with high potential and set them up for success in their new roles. Remember, hiring for potential is not always easy, but it can be a great way to bring fresh talent and new ideas to your team.

To Sum It Up

In the world of hiring, there’s a constant debate: potential vs experience. While experience is valuable, don’t underestimate the game-changing power of potential. By using innovative techniques like skills assessments and behavioral interviews, you can identify top candidates with high potential and set them up for success.

Plus, research shows that hiring for potential leads to a more diverse and innovative workforce – a true win-win! So, find the perfect balance between potential and experience when hiring your next team member. Who knows, they might just be the superstar your organization has been waiting for!

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Author

Kiran Kazim

Kiran Kazim

Turn top talent to employees fast

Hire, assess, onboard and manage top talent for every job. See how Elevatus streamlines everything; from acquire to new hire.

Request a demo