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Anonymous
Not applicable

Do you prefer hiring “experts” or “team players”?

Certain roles call for certain skill-sets or personalities. Sometimes there is no choice - we hire out of need.

 

In a perfect scenario, which kind of worker would you prefer to hire?

8 Comments 8
Rustler
Level 15

Do you prefer hiring “experts” or “team players”?

I have no use for a team player. I want people who work with me to know their area, and tell me the brutal truth - that I respect.


PC, brown nosing, and go along to get along are useless personality traits to me.

Anonymous
Not applicable

Do you prefer hiring “experts” or “team players”?

@Rustler, interesting perspective - to offer an opposing view, would you hire the absolute best in the industry (for top dollar) even they were a nightmare to work with, personality-wise (prima donnas)? Constantly doing what they thought was "the right thing to do," talking down to everyone, rather than what is asked for or required of their position? Is delivery the bottom line? 

 

It’s difficult to separate skill from personality - it’s all part of the same package. 

 

I certainly wouldn't hire someone purely for "personality" (and definitely not brown-nosers),  but there's something to be said for people who understand how to work as a team to get a job done. 

 

Would you agree that “fit” is an important quality in a team? I am presenting binary ends of the spectrum, but I’m sure you get my points. 

Sangeethmathew
Level 6

Do you prefer hiring “experts” or “team players”?

Hi,

A bunch o semi professional team players are any day better than a team of professionals who cant work together. 

Rustler
Level 15

Do you prefer hiring “experts” or “team players”?


@Anonymous wrote:

@Rustler, interesting perspective - to offer an opposing view, would you hire the absolute best in the industry (for top dollar) even they were a nightmare to work with, personality-wise (prima donnas)? Constantly doing what they thought was "the right thing to do," talking down to everyone, rather than what is asked for or required of their position? Is delivery the bottom line? 

 

It’s difficult to separate skill from personality - it’s all part of the same package. 

 

I certainly wouldn't hire someone purely for "personality" (and definitely not brown-nosers),  but there's something to be said for people who understand how to work as a team to get a job done. 

 

Would you agree that “fit” is an important quality in a team? I am presenting binary ends of the spectrum, but I’m sure you get my points. 


There is a difference between team player, and playing on a team.  

 

Your descrition of a person, would not last with me if he managed to hide those traits during the interview process and got hired at all.  

Anonymous
Not applicable

Do you prefer hiring “experts” or “team players”?

@Rustler, not disagreeing with you, I think our disconnect comes down to semantics. The original question around "team players" was always in reference to "those able to play well on a team." 

 

I'm sure there's some apt sports reference I could make about a star who couldn't roll with the rest of the team, but I don't watch much American sports. 

 

My preference is those who can play on a team - "experts" win the match, teams win the long-game in team sports. 

jessbru99568
Level 7

Do you prefer hiring “experts” or “team players”?

If you are asking on that perspective, I don't know. We don't watch sports or TV. 

But I do know, that we would rather pay someone that already works for us (maybe your definition of team player?), then have to hire and pay top dollar for someone else. 

 

On the other hand, there are certain jobs or roles, that are best done by someone else not in the company. 

Anonymous
Not applicable

Do you prefer hiring “experts” or “team players”?

@jessbru99568, you’re definition of “team player” is great! You offer a great perspective, one shared by many I’ve worked with - it’s better to hire someone you trust and work well with internally. 

 

Do you feel this way because you already have a good sense of how they work? Or is it for convenience (I.e no extra training).

 

When it comes to specialized skills, I agree - you know what you don’t know, and as great as it is to learn new skills, focus on what you do best. 

jessbru99568
Level 7

Do you prefer hiring “experts” or “team players”?

"Do you feel this way because you already have a good sense of how they work? Or is it for convenience (I.e no extra training)."

Yes and no. Not so much for convenience or no extra training, example: I was "hired" to do our accounting but didn't have any training. I am self taught, except a little training from an accountant. :)

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