Michael Jordan's Weblog

To All Hiring Managers:

One quick reminder of something I think you already know but bears repeating so you can psyche yourself up! Managers with the ability to hire have a rare opportunity to INSPIRE candidates and, eventually, whoever gets the job. Providing a new opportunity to someone's career is one of the most empowering things you can do.

Reorganizing a business unit? Sure you're very busy and have all these "slots" to fill with "headcount." And in your management meetings maybe that's how you talk about it. But as soon as you leave the room, it's a different ballgame. I've seen too many hiring managers who acted like they were just moving headcount around.

Think about all the touchpoints in the hiring process as opportunities for you to not be a hiring manager but to be a hiring leader:

• How you respond when someone sends in a resume
• How quickly interviews get set up
• How candidates are informed of next steps and whether they make the cut
• How you give them feedback on why they got the job or why they did not
• How you frame the job, provide specific direction, and set performance expectations

These are punctuated events that have as much to do with morale and retention as do bonuses and "retention planning."

Think long term.