A recent survey conducted by Reed, one of the UK's leading recruitment and HR consulting firms, has shed light on a growing issue among UK businesses – 'post hiring blues.' The research reveals that almost half of UK managers are experiencing regret over their hiring decisions, with nearly three-fifths wishing they had asked different interview questions before bringing new employees on board.
According to the survey, which involved a broad spectrum of businesses and industries, the top interview blunders made by managers during the hiring process include calling potential candidates by the wrong name (27%), having the wrong candidate's CV in front of them during the interview (29%), and not being able to provide satisfactory answers to candidate questions (37%).
Ian Nicholas, the Global Managing Director at Reed, commented on the findings, stating, "In this sensitive economic climate, businesses need to make sure the hires they are making are smart investments. Being prepared and confident when conducting interviews, therefore, is vital. While I would advise managers not to make hasty, rushed decisions, there remains a fine line to balance here, as if you take too long without keeping candidates in the loop during the hiring process, you may see potential talent going elsewhere."
The pressure on managers to create a positive impression during interviews often leads to improvisation, with many interviewers "winging" the process, causing potential harm to both applicants and businesses in the long run. Nicholas emphasized the importance of adequate preparation, saying, "My advice to managers would be to prepare properly – know who you are interviewing and the right questions to ask them."
The research found that nearly half of managers (47%) worry about asking candidates the right questions, and a significant two-thirds (66%) of managers admit to making up questions themselves. While personal experience and knowledge of the role being hired for can guide question formulation, a multitude of other factors must be considered when assessing potential hires.
Nicholas added, "Questions need to reveal how and if the candidate can support current business demands, how the person would work alongside the rest of the team, and how their professional qualifications align with their soft skills and previous experience – to name a few."
To address this issue, Reed has introduced a new AI-powered interview question generator tool to assist managers in preparing for interviews. The tool generates a set of ideal questions that can help ensure that the final hiring decision is the right investment for employers and their existing workforce.
As the 'post hiring blues' phenomenon continues to disrupt businesses, Reed's initiative aims to provide much-needed support to managers and ultimately help UK companies make more informed and successful hiring decisions in an increasingly competitive job market.