Tell me about your best hire and worst hire

I agree that experience doesn't always mean someone is the right fit. One way to learn more about a candidate is to ask how they would handle real situations they might face on the job.

For example, what would they do if a customer was unhappy, they made a mistake, or they were running behind schedule?

I also think a short paid working trial can reveal things an interview might miss. You get to see how someone communicates, follows instructions, and responds to feedback.

Skills can be taught, but reliability and a willingness to learn are much harder to develop. I'd rather invest in someone who wants to grow than someone who thinks they already know everything.

My best hires have usually been the people who were coachable, dependable, and cared about doing the job right even if they didn’t come in with the most experience.

My worst hires looked better on paper than they performed in real life.

I’ve learned that attitude, follow-through, and how someone handles accountability matter a lot more than a polished interview.

One of the biggest hiring lessons for me has been not to confuse experience with fit. Someone can know the work and still bring the wrong energy, resist feedback, or create more problems than they solve.

On the other side, a less experienced person with the right attitude can become incredibly valuable if you have a strong training process.

I’ve also gotten much more careful about setting expectations early. Clear standards, written processes, and regular feedback make it easier to tell whether someone needs coaching or whether they’re simply not the right fit.