There's a lot of resources about hiring decision methods. But the truth is that it all comes down to whether or not the candidate will make the hiring manager's job easier.

What managers should know about a candidate

The hiring manager will be able to save more time and money if the candidate is better equipped and able to tackle the job tasks. Every potential manager should ask these questions to know more about the candidate:

• Do you have the basic skills required for the job?

• How much experience have you had doing the work required for this job?

• What advanced skills do you have that are relevant to this job?

• How much training will you need?

• How quickly will you be able to work independently?

• Will you be able to train others?

If the candidate is a good fit for the team and culture

Usually, the better the candidate fits in with the team and the corporate culture, the more likely they are to be hired. If the candidate is a good fit with the team, the hiring manager won't have to spend time resolving personal conflict between the candidates and others on the team. 

A good team fit means the candidate is likely to mesh with established patterns and procedures. This will ultimately help improve production. Managers should ask this question:"are you a good fit with the overall company culture?"

The candidate's cost-value ratio

Every hiring manager has a budget that covers the salary and benefits of a new hire and possible adjustments to the salaries of other team members if the candidate is hired. If the hiring manager can hire a candidate at the targeted salary, or below, they can stay within budget and not waste time and energy making adjustments. All managers will question how quickly the candidate will be able to get up to full productivity.

If the candidate requires a salary above the target, the hiring manager may be able to accommodate, but they will need to figure out how to make adjustments. Another variable is whether or not the candidate requires additional benefits such as extra annual leave.

Even if the hiring manager can arrange that leave, they will need to take the time and make an effort in negotiating those accommodations. It doesn't mean the candidate should not ask for the salary and benefits they feel they're entitled to.

The hiring manager may decide if the candidate is worth the cost and effort, though it may impact the hiring decision. Every potential manager ranks candidate based on what they'll cost, in both time and money:

• Is the candidate's salary requirements at or below the target for the position?

• Does the candidate request any benefits beyond the company's norm?

• Will hiring the candidate require the hiring manager to make adjustments to any other team member's salary?

• Will hiring the candidate require any additional effort on the hiring manager's part to justify any additional expense?

• Does the hiring manager believe the candidate is worth the additional cost?

External pressures

A hiring manager does not operate in a vacuum, as they have a boss that they report to. The position the hiring manager is filling will probably interact with other departments in the company, and the managers of those departments may have preferences for the kind of person being hired.

Human Resources (HR) is also a factor because they may be concerned about labour laws and regulations regarding the proper procedure surrounding hiring practices.

If hiring a candidate causes any problems with outside influences, then it's less likely they'll be offered the job, even if they have the right skills or background. Every potential manager ranks candidates based on whether the candidate will cause problems outside their control, such as:

• Will hiring the candidate cause any problems with the hiring manager's boss?

• What other departments will the candidate work with and do any of them have preferences that they don't meet?

• Will hiring the candidate cause any problems with the company's hiring practices that will take time or effort on the manager's part to explain or justify?

• Will hiring the candidate cause any problems with government rules or regulations that the company will have to deal with and the hiring manager will have to spend time to support?

A hiring manager will hire the candidate they believe will do the most to make their job the easiest. Ever manager has more work than they can handle and while they recognise recruiting, screening and hiring new employees is an important part of their job, they'll always prefer the candidate who will do the most to help them out by making their job easier in all aspects.

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