The Resume Trap

Resumes tell you what someone has done.

They don’t tell you:

• How they handle pressure
• How they communicate
• How they show up consistently
• How they treat people

And in a small or growing business, those things matter more than credentials.

Start With Values

Before asking about skills, I like to ask questions that reveal character.

Examples:

• “Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What did you do?”
• “What does accountability mean to you?”
• “What kind of work environment do you thrive in?”
• “How do you handle unclear instructions?”

You’re looking for honesty, ownership, and awareness. Not perfection.

Look for Integrity

Integrity shows up in small ways:

• Do they take responsibility?
• Do they shift blame?
• Do they speak respectfully about past employers?

How someone talks about their past is often how they’ll behave in your business.

Energy and Fit Matter

You are building a team, not assembling robots. And you are gonna be spending a lot of time working with this person (remote or not). 

Ask:

• “What kind of team do you enjoy working on?”
• “What makes work feel meaningful to you?”

People who align with your culture will:

• Communicate better
• Stay longer
• Perform more consistently

And yes, work should be fun! People who work well together often produce better results and have a better time.

Then Evaluate Skills

Once values align, move into capability.

Ask:

• “Walk me through how you would approach this task.”
• “What tools are you comfortable with?”
• “How do you prioritize your work?”

You’re looking for a thought process, not just answers.

The best hires aren’t always the most qualified on paper.

They’re the ones who; take ownership, communicate clearly, align with you and your business’ values, and show up consistently. 

You can teach someone how to do the job. You cannot teach someone how to care. Hire for who they are first, I swear then everything else becomes easier.