Hiring the Right Person: It’s Not Just About Skills
Let’s face it: when we hire, we all get a little excited about the shiny stuff—the glittering resume, the fancy degrees, the impressive list of skills.
And sure, skills matter.
But here’s the twist: hiring the right person isn’t just about what they can do.
It’s about who they are.
And according to a massive analysis by the University of Toronto, the single biggest predictor of success in a job?
It’s not your candidate’s knowledge of Excel or Python.
It’s their conscientiousness.
Sounds boring, right?
But before you roll your eyes and think this is just another one of those “soft skills” that HR people drone on about, hear me out.
Conscientiousness is the trait that keeps people from showing up late to meetings, or missing deadlines.
In short, it’s the glue that holds everything together when the chaos of the workplace tries to tear it apart.
It's the candidate who actually reads the job description before applying (can you imagine?).
Why Conscientiousness is the Real MVP
So, why is conscientiousness so important? Let’s break it down:
Reliability: A conscientious person is like the coworker who always shows up early and leaves late, and—surprise!—actually gets the work done.
Attention to Detail: Unlike that person who tells you, “Don’t worry, I’ve got it” and then delivers work that looks like it was done in 10 minutes, a conscientious person will actually pay attention. They notice the little things—the things that matter—and keep the bigger picture in mind. A minor error in an important report? Not on their watch.
Follow Through: Let’s be real, we’ve all had that one colleague who promises to “take care of it” but somehow disappears when the time comes. A conscientious person is the complete opposite. They not only say they’ll get it done—they make sure it gets done, no excuses. That’s the kind of person who gets things across the finish line.
Skills Can Be Taught, but Conscientiousness Is Hard to Fake
Now, let’s not forget: skills matter.
But here’s the thing: skills can be learned.
A person can pick up a new software program, take a few courses, and—voila!—they’re now a certified expert.
But conscientiousness? That’s a little trickier.
It’s deeply ingrained, like the person who’s always organized or the one who stays calm under pressure and manages to keep everyone else’s stress in check.
You can’t teach that, no matter how many LinkedIn Learning courses you sign them up for.
The Other Big Five? Not as Big a Deal
Don’t get me wrong: the other traits in the Big Five—Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism—have their place.
But when it comes to who’s going to thrive in a job, conscientiousness takes the cake.
People with high conscientiousness tend to be more reliable, more persistent, and better at managing their time—basic traits that make them more likely to succeed, no matter what role they’re in.
Your Fulcrum this Friday
Next time you’re looking to hire, don’t just focus on the technical skills or flashy degrees. Sure, those things matter, but ask yourself: Is this person going to show up, put in the work, and get it done without the need for constant reminders? If the answer is yes, you’ve got yourself a keeper.
It’s time we stop pretending like skills are the be-all-end-all and start looking for the traits that actually make a difference. Conscientiousness may sound boring, but it’s the silent force behind success. Find someone with it, and you’ll have a rockstar employee on your hands.
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