The successful hire is one with a mindset of achievement and results. There is a huge difference between achieving something and doing something. People are either more result-oriented or more action-oriented. And that makes the whole difference. You do not hire people to do things but to accomplish a specific result on a specific job.

“I have participated in the hiring of maybe 5,000-plus people in my life. So I take it very seriously.” – Steve Jobs.

It is vital to show quite a lot of dedication with new employees, as they can be very sensitive to any lack of care or special attention. Poor orientation and on-boarding of new hires can cost you dearly. According to a study by Mellon Financial Corp., lost productivity resulting from the learning curve for new hires and transfers amounts to between 1% and 2.5% of total revenues. The time for new hires to achieve full productivity ranges from 8 weeks for clerical jobs to 20 weeks for professionals, to more than 26 weeks for executives.

After sending this businessman over 25 very qualified applicants for an executive position, I realized I had made a terrible mistake: I did not suggest that my client fire himself first, as the General Manager!