Interviewing is a very important process in a company and defines the culture of the people who work there. In order to find the best, you need to interview for attitude and not accolades. Hiring managers need to look beyond the surface and grab their shovels to really dig deep. Did you know that 46% of new hires failed within the first 18 months? And that 89% of the time, these new hires failed because of attitude?

In a very competitive job market, you’ve applied to your dream job and your resume has made it to the top of the pile. Congratulations! You’ve been confirmed for an in-person interview! Now what?

A recruiter or hiring manager calls you and you and lets you know you got the in-person interview! Along with researching the company, learning about their total rewards and culture, reviewing the scope of work and your preparation, there is one additional decision that must be made prior to the interview that is extremely important: what to wear. It’s imperative that you look sharp and dress for success!

Finding the perfect candidate isn’t always easy, especially when doing it alone. As a recruiter, I have had the privilege to successfully place hundreds of qualified candidates at organizations around the DC area. What’s my secret? Asking the right questions.

Have you ever looked around and thought to yourself, “Wow, the employees that work here are great! I wonder if they know someone with the same work ethic?” The initial thought to bring in people similar to those currently employed is the first step in creating an employee referral program. However, you must first inform your employees of the program and the parameters involved. To do this, communicate with your employees regularly about the program and its parameters, company intranet and social networking sites (Twitter, LinkedIn, Newsletters, Yammer) and corporate social events. Also, during the onboarding process, educate incoming employees on the program. Provide your new hires with information on where to find forms and the steps of making an employee referral.

By Shawn Wilkins, Senior Recruiter & Brett Carlson, Recruiter