Why Do We Fall for the Person Who Interviews Best, Rather Than the Best Fit for the Job?

Recruiting a new hire is a calculated risk. We narrow down the pool of candidates to minimize that risk, but in the end, it’s still a gamble.

The Importance of Rigorous Assessments

In high-stakes environments like air traffic control, nothing is left to chance. The right systems, data, tests, and professional development tools enable those guiding aircraft to maximize their chances of success. Similarly, in professional sports, football clubs don’t rely solely on scouts to find the “next big thing.” They utilize performance data and analytics to challenge assumptions and remove bias. This ensures they invest wisely in players who are the right fit for the team.

In business, various assessments like psychometrics and verbal reasoning tests are core components of the recruitment process. Should schools adopt similar strategies?

The Need for Schools to Adapt

We believe they should. Schools need to be just as rigorous in reducing the risk of hiring the wrong person, especially for critical IT roles.

The Ripple Effect of a Bad Hire

The impact of a bad hire can ripple throughout an entire school. A single poor decision can lead to slow progress and diminished digital confidence in the classroom. This gamble often does not pay off.

Furthermore, turnover is costly. Each new hire costs a school between £4,000 and £5,000. This figure does not even account for the disruption and negative impact left behind by a bad hiring decision. Such poor choices are a hidden drain on already stretched resources.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes

The good news is that these issues are avoidable. Providing school leaders with the right tools to assess candidates for specific roles empowers them to make confident, evidence-based hiring decisions. According to a CareerBuilder survey, one-third of employers who made a bad hire admitted they knew the candidate didn’t possess the right skills but hoped they would adapt quickly. Others rushed the process or focused solely on attitude and cultural fit, neglecting the necessary technical abilities.

These are mistakes we can avoid through proper assessment.

The Solution: IT Skills Assessments

Our Standard/Advanced IT Skills Assessment, designed for schools, helps stack the odds in your favor. This assessment provides objective data to determine whether a candidate can truly deliver in their role. It cuts through unconscious bias and allows you to concentrate your efforts on the most qualified candidates.

With evidence-based hiring, you can save your school time, money, and the headaches that arise from poor hiring decisions. It’s crucial to focus on the right candidates who possess the skills necessary for the job.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating rigorous assessments into the hiring process could revolutionize school recruitment. Just as air traffic control and professional sports teams rely on data-driven decisions, schools should prioritize objective evaluations.

The benefits are significant: reduced turnover costs, improved performance, and enhanced confidence in digital learning. If your school wants to avoid the risks associated with hiring mistakes, now is the time to act.

Wouldn't you rather invest in successful candidates instead of gambling with your IT budget? Make informed choices that lead to long-term benefits for your school community.

IT Skills Assessments