đ¶ And bad mistakes, Iâve made a few⊠đ¶
Every IT Manager has been there. You find a candidate with an impressive resume, a long list of certifications, and a flawless technical interview. You hire them, confident theyâll be a game-changer for your IT department.
Fast forward six months:
â They donât communicate well with the team.
â They resist feedback and struggle with collaboration.
â Morale is down, and your once-thriving IT department is now full of tension.
The Problem? You Hired for Skills, Not for Fit.
Technical expertise is importantâthereâs no arguing that. But if a new hire doesnât mesh with the team, share the companyâs values, or work well within the existing culture, their technical brilliance wonât save them (or your department) from disruption.
The good news? Technical skills can be taught. Attitude, adaptability, and collaboration are much harder to train. Thatâs why cultural fit should be a top priority in your IT hiring strategy.
How to Hire for Cultural Fit (Without Guesswork)
Next time youâre interviewing a candidate, go beyond their certifications and GitHub repos. Dig into:
â Conflict Management: âTell me about the last conflict you had at work. How did you handle it?â
â Workplace Frustrations: âWhatâs something that really annoyed you in a past job?â
â Teamwork & Adaptability: âIf I asked your last boss about your work style, what would they say?â
These questions help uncover how a candidate truly operates within a team, how they handle challenges, and whether their work style complements (or clashes with) your existing team dynamics.
Know Your Own Culture First
Hiring for cultural fit only works if you understand your companyâs culture and your teamâs dynamics. If you donât have a clear sense of what makes your IT department tick, you might end up hiring a âgood sheepâ đâonly to drop them into a herd of goats đ đ đ.
That doesnât mean you should always hire people exactly like the existing team. Sometimes, a different perspective is exactly whatâs neededâbut you need to be intentional about it.
Final Thought: The Right Balance Matters
Of course, cultural fit doesnât mean hiring clones. Diversity in thought, background, and personality is essential for innovation. But hiring someone whose values, collaboration style, and communication approach align with your team will set themâand your departmentâup for success.
So, next time youâre hiring, donât just ask yourself, âCan they do the job?â Ask, âWill they thrive here?â