You’ve done everything right.
✔️ Great job ad
✔️ Hundreds of applicants
✔️ Shortlisted from the top 10%
✔️ Chose the best CV on paper
✔️ Interview went well
…and 3 months later?
It’s not working. Again.
They’re disengaged, underperforming, or already interviewing elsewhere.
So what happened?
💣 The Harsh Truth: Great CVs ≠ Great Hires
A polished CV and a slick interview can fool even the most experienced managers. Why?
Because you’re hiring on what they’ve done, not necessarily who they are, how they operate, or whether they’ll stick around.
Here are the hidden reasons we see again and again behind poor hires:
🚩 1. You hired the experience, not the fit.
They had the right background, but not the right mindset or motivation.
They can do the job, but they don’t want to do the job—at least not for you.
✅ Fix it: Start screening for values and attitude early. Ask, “What made you apply to this role?” not just “What’s your experience?”
🚩 2. You skipped behavioural screening.
They answered interview questions perfectly. But that’s performance, not proof.
✅ Fix it: Use situational questions:
“Tell me about a time you received feedback you disagreed with—what did you do?”
🚩 3. They were never actually engaged.
They ghosted you once. You chased. They seemed “busy.” You ignored the warning signs.
✅ Fix it: Watch how they engage before they join. Candidates who aren’t responsive in the process are rarely committed on the job.
🚩 4. You didn’t check their why.
You didn’t check their why.They wanted remote, you’re hybrid. They wanted £60k, you’re at £45k. They saw this as a stopgap—you saw them as a long-term hire.
✅ Fix it: Be brutally honest upfront. Ask:
“Where do you see this role fitting in your longer-term goals?”
🚩 5. You rushed the offer.
You needed someone. Anyone. And they were good enough. But “good enough” rarely lasts.
✅ Fix it: Always benchmark your top 2–3 before making an offer. Gut decisions are good, but comparison brings clarity.
🧠 Remember: The CV is a brochure—not a blueprint.
The best hires are made by combining skills, mindset and motivation. Miss one of those three and you’re back on the hiring hamster wheel.
🔧 Need help getting beyond the CV?
Our Filtering + Qualification service focuses on more than just buzzwords. We assess:
- Motivation
- Cultural fit
- Red flags
- Real engagement
- Salary and logistical alignment
📩 DM us or click here to see how we can support your next hire.
