5 Classic Hiring Mistakes (And How to Dodge Them Like a Pro)

Hiring is tough. And when you're spinning a hundred plates—deadlines, team pressure, the occasional fire to put out—it’s easy to make decisions that feel right in the moment but come back to haunt you later (hello, unexpected notice period three months in).

Here are five all-too-common hiring missteps we see even seasoned pros make—and how to avoid them like a total hiring ninja.

1. Rushing the Brief, Regretting the Hire

We get it. You need someone yesterday. But skipping a proper role briefing is like assembling IKEA furniture without the manual—you’ll have leftover pieces, and it probably won’t hold up.

🛰️ The fix: Start with clarity. What problem is this hire solving? What does success look like in 3, 6, 12 months? Align internally before you open that job req.

2. Falling for the Shiny CV

Great logos, polished formatting, and impressive titles—shiny! But a CV is a highlight reel, not the whole movie. Don’t get dazzled.

🛰️ The fix: Dig into the how. How did they make impact? What context were they operating in? Reference calls, case studies, or thoughtful questions can help peel back the layers.

3. Interviewing Without a Game Plan

Unstructured interviews = inconsistent signals. “We’ll just have a chat and see” often leads to…well, confusion.

🛰️ The fix: Build a simple, repeatable process. Define what you're assessing, who’s covering what, and what ‘good’ looks like. Consistency is your secret weapon.

4. Hiring for Today, Not Tomorrow

You’re slammed, and need someone to hit the ground running. But if they can’t grow with the role or scale with your team, you’ll be back here in six months.

🛰️ The fix: Balance the now with the next. Ask yourself: can this person not only do the job today, but adapt and evolve as the team grows?

5. Forgetting It’s a Two-Way Street

It’s easy to focus so much on choosing the right candidate that you forget—they’re choosing you too. A clunky process, radio silence, or vague next steps can send great talent running.

🛰️ The fix: Treat your hiring process like a product. Clear comms, fast feedback, and a respectful experience go a long way.

Wrapping it up (neatly, like a well-written job ad)

Hiring well is part science, part art, and part remembering that people are people. Avoid these classic missteps and you’re not just filling a role—you’re building a stronger, smarter team.

Want to make hiring even easier? Start with clarity, structure, and just a bit of help from someone who knows the ropes. (👋 Hi.)