Loud Thinking

Look for These Indicators of Potential When Hiring

Hiring great people used to mean finding candidates with the right skills. Today, it means finding people with the potential to learn new skills. Hiring managers should look for certain indicators of potential. Is the person genuinely curious? Does she seek out new experiences, knowledge, and candid feedback? Ask how she reacts when someone challenges her, or how she invites input from others on her team. Tell her to describe a time she was determined to fight for a difficult goal despite challenges. How did she bounce back from adversity? These kinds of questions will help you identify her motivation to learn and her capacity to change.

Adapted by HBR from “ 21st-Century Talent Spotting” by Claudio Fernández-Aráoz.