Let me start off by saying I am not an HR expert or ever claim to be. What you are about to read is the most effective strategy that I have used over the past 20 years when it comes to hiring 1099 “employees” or independent contractors. However, times are changing and even W2 hiring is starting to implement having the spouse/significant other on the final interview. If it sounds crazy to you, it did to me as well in the beginning. It is also the most profound idea and time saver when it comes to finding the right fit for the employer and employee. Here are three reasons to involve your significant other in the decision process.
Know What to Expect
Starting a new job or career is a big decision for not only the candidate but for his or her entire family. Both parties are taking a “leap of faith” when choosing to work together. One of the biggest challenges is communicating what the new “job” entails. If you have ever played the telephone game, then you know why having your spouse/significant other is important. How many hours do you work per week? Is there travel involved? What is the starting pay and potential for bonuses? Will there be after hour job requirements? The list goes on, but these are the questions that you will try to relay when you get home from the interview.
Advocate vs. Adversary
When hiring someone on, the applicant gets the benefit of hearing the vision of the company and how that can improve their family’s lives. The late nights, the crappy starting pay, and the stress of a new job is hard to understand if you don’t know why your partner is doing it. When you bring the spouse to the interview, they get a chance to interview you (the employer), not the other way around. I have found time and time again that once you have satisfied their answers and you choose to bring the candidate on, you have an advocate at home and not an adversary. That advocate will help keep the new hire accountable for doing the job. An adversary will only see the employer as the problem and the working relationship won’t work for long.
Complete Buy-In
The last time I chose not to bring the spouse in on the final interview was when I hired “John”. John was truly a blue-chip recruit and was building the business more efficiently and profitably than anyone before. From my vantage point, he was happy, and we were ecstatic with his drive and efficacy. His wife “Sarah” on the other hand was unhappy and wanted him to quit. Although John was hitting all the marks and succeeding professionally, he was missing the mark personally. John called me to say he had to leave the company, I said fine but asked him if I could take him and Sarah to dinner first. After a two-hour dinner, Sarah was completely bought in and could see the vision of what John was building. I’m happy to report that John is still leading the way for the company, and they have since purchased their dream home.
Making these life altering decisions requires commitment and sacrifice from more than just the employee you hire on. You are hiring on and are taking responsibility for that entire family. This is a decision that should not be made lightly and should involve both decision makers. I almost lost John because I made the mistake of not involving Sarah. That would have hurt the company and his family’s future. Next time you are bringing someone on to your “work family”, make sure to include their spouse/significant other. They will help you make the right decision for both your company and their family. Stay up-to-date with my latest discoveries through the Let’s Go Win podcast, and learn more about the power of positive growth. HERE!
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JM Ryerson is a best-selling author and Performance and Mindset Coach. JM has a question for you. Are you living your best life, and do you feel fulfilled in your goals and achievements? While it’s tempting to say yes, really take a minute to consider what it means to be truly fulfilled. What does that look like to you? Does it match your current environment? As a professional leadership coach for entrepreneurs and executive teams, these are the questions that JM has spent years helping people of all backgrounds answer. His passion to help others succeed at work, at home, and in life is empowering the next generation of business leaders. If you’re interested in pursuing peak performance in both your life and at work, then make a change now. Stay up-to-date with JM’s latest discoveries through his podcast, Let’s Go Win, and learn more about the power of positive growth.