The Devil in the Details

Seth Godin does have a point in his blog post about hiring choices. Yes, it is possible to put too much emphasis on how a candidate executes his or her career search and interview sequence. This is especially true in technical positions when hiring managers turn a blind eye to candidates in T-shirts and flip flops. But I know that I have been burned few times after ignoring an interview gaffe or a poorly worded letter. More often than not, traits such as attention to detail, organization, effective communication, etc. provide a window into the work habits of a candidate. Poor performance in these areas can often overshadow the work experience, industry expertise or existing relationships that we crave in an ideal hire. In the end, the headaches can outweigh the benefits and make us wish we paid attention when the new guy showed up 5 minutes late to his interview.