Thirty-six percent of chief financial officers say poor skills match is the primary reason employees fail after they are hired, according to a new Robert Half Finance & Accounting survey.
Among other findings, 30 percent of respondents say unclear performance expectations are the reason employees fail, and 17 percent say personality conflicts are the issue. Another 14 percent say failed hires occur because they don't fit into the company culture.
"Companies can't afford hiring mistakes, which are costly and can erode staff morale," says Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. "Finding the right match requires time and attention, and it's something even busy managers need to make time for."
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To find better employees, Robert Half Finance & Accounting suggests hiring managers not just recycle old job descriptions when a position opens. Instead, take a look at how the role has changed and provide a detailed job description. Also, consider a potential employee's intangible skills that go beyond functional requirements. For instance, evaluate a job candidate based on his or her communication and leadership skills.
Offering competitive benefits and compensation packages is another way to attract the best potential employees. Even in today's economic climate, top performers with high-demand specialties often have multiple job offers, and they need a good reason to choose a particular company.
Messmer believes using a recruiting firm can also help.
"Working with a recruiter who specializes in a given field can help hiring managers identify job candidates with the appropriate skills," Messmer says. "Most recruiting firms conduct skills testing, which provides added assurance a prospective employee's skills are a match."
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