Almost half of UK managers are experiencing what has been dubbed “post-hiring blues” as they regret their haste in making employment decisions, according to a recent survey by Reed, a prominent recruitment and employment agency.
The study reveals that 46 percent of managers in the United Kingdom have reservations about their recent hiring choices.
This sentiment is underscored by three-fifths of respondents, or 59 percent, expressing a desire to have posed different interview questions to prospective candidates.
The research, conducted by Reed, delves into the common interview blunders that managers make during the hiring process, shedding light on the challenges businesses face in their recruitment efforts.
These blunders include calling potential candidates by the wrong name (27%), having the wrong candidate’s CV in front of them during the interview (29%), and not being able to provide satisfactory answers to candidate questions (37%).
Well-prepared interviews are crucial
Ian Nicholas, Global Managing Director at Reed, emphasises the importance of thoughtful and well-prepared interviews in the current economic climate. He commented, “In this sensitive economic climate, businesses need to make sure the hires they are making are smart investments. Being prepared and confident when conducting interviews, therefore, is so vital. And while I would advise managers to not make hasty, rushed decisions, there remains a fine line to balance here, as if you take too long without keeping candidates in the loop during the hiring process, you may see potential talent going elsewhere.”
Nicholas acknowledges that the pressure to create a positive impression on potential candidates often leads to interviewers “winging” the interview, which can result in negative impressions and long-term detriments to the business. His advice to managers is to prepare properly, understand the candidates, and ask the right questions.
Are the right questions asked?
Ian Nicholas added, “Nearly half of managers (47%) worry about asking candidates the right questions, with a shocking two-thirds (66%) of managers making up the questions themselves. Questions need to reveal how and if the candidate can support current business demands, how the person would work alongside the rest of the team, and how their professional qualifications work alongside their soft skills and previous experience – to name a few. Our new AI tool puts together the ideal questions managers can ask to ensure that the final hiring decision is the right investment for employers and their current employees.”
As the business landscape continues to evolve, the importance of making well-informed and strategic hiring decisions has never been more critical. With Reed’s new AI tool, UK managers now have a valuable resource to assist in the interview process and improve the quality of their hiring decisions.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
