It’s no secret: hiring is not an exact science. If it were, I would have never employed someone who informed me before she quit a few months later that she didn’t realize the “hours were mandatory.” I thought it went without saying that a full-time job required full-time hours, but clearly I’d forgotten some of the wisest advice I’ve ever been given: Never assume anything… So, I guess I’m guilty as charged.

It is really impossible to know who you’re hiring from an interview. It’s a lot like dating - everyone is on their best behavior when he or she begins seeing someone new. Annoying quirks and other idiosyncrasies remain hidden until a commitment has been made. Dating’s smooth talker generally comes with an ulterior motive as does the charismatic job candidate who says all the right things but once hired seems more interested in office politics than hard work. (more…)