Don’t Hire Anyone You Can’t Fire

Do not hire anyone you can’t fire. Ignore this advice only under pressure so harsh that you can’t resist.

You can bet that if you put under great pressure to hire someone, you’ll likely to be under even greater pressure if you have to fire them.

Resist to the last ditch situations where employment is based on any reason other than the needs of the company and the particular worth and “fit” of the person being brought on board. As long as you are held responsible for the results of your department you should have the absolute right to hire and fire as you think best. You should insist on being let off the hook if that right is denied.

When possible run for cover when you are being pressured by a friend to hire his friend. Especially try to duck the bullet when the “do hire” message comes on a personal basis from the boss. Be particularly wary of hiring relatives of the boss.

In the real world there may be no escaping the forced hire.  If that is the case, protect yourself from the start. Have a clear understanding with all concerned of the basis on which you are acting. Have a fall back strategy if things don’t work out as planned.

Be sure to document the performance of the offspring of the shotgun wedding.  You need facts about performance, whether he or she is a raging success or a total disaster.

Never become so dependent on an associate that he or she can’t be fired.

I wish you career success in 2010.

Ramon Greenwood, Head Career Coach

Common Sense At Work