Boston Business Journal

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Nothing beats job try-outs to determine whether a candidate will be the right fit for the position, according to a recent survey of finance and human resources managers.

The survey by Accountemps found 38 percent of managers said bringing in a candidate on a temporary basis provides the most insight into that person’s future job performance. An equal number said the interview provides the most insight, while 17 percent mentioned the reference check and 6 percent said the resumé and cover letter.

“In today’s economic environment, employers are taking extra measures to minimize the risk of making bad hiring decisions,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, in a statement. “Temporary and project assignments provide the opportunity for companies to observe firsthand an individual’s skills, performance and fit for the position before extendng a full-time offer.”

The survey includes responses from more than 6000 finance and human resources managers in the United States.

Check it out!