Comments on: Hiring For Performance

By: Phil Buckley

Phil Buckley — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:13:32 +0000

Your right Brian, and sometimes there are lots of other weights on the scale when the final decision is being made.

I remember at a job back in the day when the boss explained we hired so-and-so straight out of college because they fit it the budget. It was the first time I ever took “budget” into consideration – it was a good life lesson.

By: Brian McDonald

Brian McDonald — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:27:23 +0000

I’m a firm believer in the right person for the job. However salary constraints and expectations don’t always meet in the middle and sometimes over/under-qualified applicants get the offer.

By: Karl Sakas

Karl Sakas — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:52:35 +0000

Phil and Cord: The other thing is that when the economy is poor, candidate #1 may be willing to take a #3 salary. I recently pursued a position that wanted eight years of experience. They ended up hiring someone with 20 years of direct marketing experience, probably at a mid-level salary. Not so good for candidates, but a good time for hiring managers.

By: Phil Buckley

Phil Buckley — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:27:12 +0000

I think you’re right Cord, but the problem is when the economy is great, why take a chance on someone now. Then when the economy is in the tank you think, we’ll we can’t take a chance now.

By: Cord Silverstein

Cord Silverstein — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:12:05 +0000

Great post Phil. Your writing is always thought provoking. I think the one of the problems we are in as a country right now is because of the economy and what is going on in the world, we are all going for the safe choice. I think it is time we shake things up. Thanks for sharing as always.

By: Phil Buckley

Phil Buckley — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:06:48 +0000

At least you had an awesome job title

By: Karl Sakas

Karl Sakas — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:45:06 +0000

Great article, Phil — it really puts things into context.

As a young captain at age 23, my dad led a 150-man company in Vietnam. Wounded halfway through his tour, he demanded they send him back, and give him a larger company this time. They did.

As an Institutional Client Relationships Associate when I was 23… my employer trusted me with half a cubicle, a $1,200 computer, and about $100 in office supplies.

By: Phil Buckley

Phil Buckley — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:20:29 +0000

I’ve always been inspired by how much we trust people in the military. Especially fighter pilots. Not many jobs we let 27 year olds crash a 200 million dollar piece of equipment, and get them in another one asap.

By: Jenni Bruckman

Jenni Bruckman — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:36:08 +0000

Nice post, Phil. It’s refreshing to hear confidence in the younger generation of professionals out there. Especially like your point about us embracing a 27 year-old military captain but not holding the same standard for a qualified (albeit young) executive. Nice perspective!