Employee Retention / Employee Turnover/ Why Employees Leave Their Jobs

Marketing Executives Often Go with Their Instincts When Interviewing Marketing Candidates

"I've got a feeling about this one," hiring managers often say about promising candidates.  That's not surprising given the results of a recent survey of marketing and advertising executives.  Forty-six percent of respondents said they rely very much on instinct when making hiring decisions; 49 percent follow their gut at least some of the time.

The survey was developed by The Creative Group, a specialized staffing service providing marketing, advertising, creative and web professionals on a project basis.  It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes 250 responses -- 125 from advertising executives with the nation's 1,000 largest advertising agencies and 125 from senior marketing executives with the nation's 1,000 largest companies.   

Advertising and marketing executives were asked, "When making hiring decisions, how much do you rely on your intuition or gut instinct?"  Their responses:

Very much		46%
Somewhat		49%
Not very much		4%
Not at all		1%
		100%

"Interviewing is both an art and a science," said Tracey Fuller, executive director of The Creative Group.  "Carefully reviewing an applicant's resume, portfolio and experience provides details on the person's qualifications, but one-on-one meetings afford a glimpse into the intangible qualities that make someone the right fit for the position."

It's not enough for a candidate to "look good on paper" -- he or she must also complement the team dynamic.  Fuller added, "Managers should create a profile of what they are looking for in a new hire beyond skill sets and professional background, including personality and work ethic." 

Source: The Creative Group