The first 2 posts in this series on the qualities we evaluate candidates for during strategic staffing initiatives covered the importance of communication and problem-solving. Today, the focus is on behavioral and cultural fit and the vital skill of collaboration.
Collaboration is a fundamental skill for any new hire worth his or her salt. When you’re in a situation where you’re a new hire who often has to lead by influence as much as by action, working well with others is a must. What does working well with others mean? It varies based on the situation, but it often means a mix of being able to co-create by building on others’ ideas, listening actively to understand unspoken yet vital requirements or customer needs, and empathizing with the various stakeholders who may be dealing with the problem or situation you were brought on board to help them resolve.
It can be tough to gauge someone’s collaboration skill set in a short interview, so we ask candidates to walk us through some of the most difficult challenges of their recent work and then listen to hear how much of their problem-solving activities involved working with others versus strictly being heads down on it themselves or acting as an individual hero. In our line of work, a single individual can rarely handle big, hairy problems independently.
Another technique we use here is third-party self assessment questions. The technique is powerful and relatively simple — we ask candidates to envision their current boss sitting next to them. Then we ask them the following 2 questions: “If I were to ask your boss, what would they say are your greatest strengths?” and “What would your boss, who’s sitting right next to you, say are the areas where you need the most improvement?”
Something about the psychology of anchoring a candidate’s boss next to them in their mind can result in extremely honest self-assessments. We typically hear various insights on the candidate, their motivations, and skills. And obviously, if collaboration sounds like one of the areas where there may be room for improvement, then that’s likely going to be a red flag.
If you need help attracting high-performing Financial Services and Data Management talent in an increasingly tight labor market, consider DMG’s strategic staffing services. Feel free to schedule a free consultation to determine whether our services match your needs.