Help! I Hired The Wrong Person

Hiring the wrong person happens to the best of us and can be a costly mistake for any organization. It may take weeks or months before you realize that a new hire is not a good fit. When this happens, it’s important to take immediate

Help! I believe I hired the wrong person.

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action to correct the situation. Here are some tips on what to do when you realize you’ve hired the wrong person:

Act Quickly Don’t drag your feet – the sooner you address the problem, the better. The longer this employee remains in the role, the more it will negatively impact morale and productivity. As soon as it becomes clear the person is not right for the job, take corrective action.

Be Objective. Take emotions out of the equation and assess why this person isn’t working out. Were they not onboarded properly? Is it a skills gap that can’t be quickly rectified? Lack of effort? Did they oversell themselves during the interview? Identify the exact issues so you can determine the best course of action. Stick to facts and cite specific examples of poor performance that you’ve observed.

Give Clear Feedback. Have a candid conversation with the employee explaining why you feel they are not a good fit. Provide clear guidelines, including specific examples on where they are falling short and give them an opportunity to offer their perspective. Make sure they understand the seriousness of the situation.

Explore Alternatives. Consider whether additional training, coaching or a different role could be a solution before immediately terminating employment. If after feedback the employee demonstrates a willingness and ability to improve, it may be worth giving them a second chance.

Familiarize Yourself with the Law. Consult HR or your labor attorney to ensure any corrective action you take follows legal protocols and workplace policies. Understand regulations around termination notice periods, final payouts, etc. Document all performance issues and meetings to minimize legal risk.

Act Decisively. If it’s clear the situation is unsalvageable, working towards terminating this employee is usually the best route. Dragging out subpar performance impacts the whole team. Reflect on your hiring process and your management of new personnel to spot areas for improvement going forward. With the wrong hire gone, focus your efforts on finding a replacement.

Hiring the perfect candidate is never guaranteed, but taking immediate action when you realize someone is not working out can limit damage and get your team back on track quickly. Learn from your mistakes. With the right follow-through, even a wrong hire can become a valuable learning experience.