Let’s say for the purpose of this article that you have a position open and a slate of applicants who possess approximately the same list of qualifications. What do you do?

You start by looking at qualities. Certain qualities are important in almost any job, but particularly critical when working in a service industry or in a group. If you’ve been reading my blog, you might remember one article where I recounted the story of a highly skilled woodworker who applied for work in my shop, but who was not hired because of a reputation for being impossibly difficult to get along with. I wanted abrasiveness only in sandpaper, not in personnel.

So the catch phrase here is: Hire for attitude, train for skill.

Yes, aptitude is important. Yes, credentials are vital. And yes, education and experience are critical components. Assuming the applicant has the proper educational qualifications and the necessary certifications (if required), then the deciding factor should be attitude.

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