How Can I Choose the Best Candidate? 6 Tips from a Staffing Agency

Hiring the right candidate is a critical decision that can impact your team’s productivity, morale, and long-term success. But with so many applicants, how can I choose the best candidate for the job?

At Amtec, we’ve been helping companies find top talent every day since 1959. With over six decades of experience in staffing and recruitment, we understand what makes a great hire—balancing skills, attitude, and culture fit to build stronger teams.

In this guide, we’ll share six expert-backed tips to help you identify and select the best candidate for your open position.


1. Define the Role Clearly

Before you start reviewing resumes, it’s essential to have a well-defined role with clear expectations.

  • Create a detailed job description outlining key responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications.
  • Specify both technical skills (e.g., proficiency in a certain software) and soft skills (e.g., teamwork, adaptability).
  • Outline the goals and challenges of the role to ensure candidates understand what’s expected.

A well-defined role attracts the right candidates and sets clear benchmarks for evaluation.


2. Create an Ideal Candidate Profile

To choose the best candidate, you need to know what you’re looking for beyond just experience and education.

  • List must-have skills (essential for the job) and nice-to-have skills (that add value but aren’t deal-breakers).
  • Identify key personality traits that fit your company’s work culture.
  • Set benchmarks for experience, certifications, or industry expertise to streamline your selection process.

By defining an ideal candidate profile, you can quickly identify which applicants align with your company’s needs and vision.


3. Evaluate the Candidate’s Skills

A resume only tells part of the story—how can I choose the best candidate without knowing if they can actually do the job? The best way to assess skills is through real-world testing.

  • Compare their skillsets to the job’s requirements.
  • Conduct skills assessments or give candidates a role-related task to complete.
  • Ask problem-solving questions to understand how they handle challenges.

For example, many companies use pre-employment assessment tools to evaluate technical and soft skills before making a hiring decision.


4. Assess the Candidate’s Attitude

Skills can be taught, but attitude and work ethic are harder to change. During interviews, focus on how the candidate thinks, reacts, and engages with others.

  • Observe body language—are they confident, engaged, and enthusiastic?
  • Ask behavioral interview questions to gauge work ethic and adaptability. For example, “Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work and how you overcame it.”
  • Discuss career goals to see if they align with your company’s growth.

A candidate’s attitude can determine how well they collaborate with your team and respond to challenges in the workplace.

Related: 3 Reasons Why You Should Use Behavioral Interview Questions


5. Conduct a Thorough Background Check

Before extending an offer, verify the candidate’s history to ensure accuracy and professionalism.

  • Check references to get feedback from previous employers and colleagues.
  • Review social media presence for any red flags or alignment with company values.
  • Verify employment history to confirm their experience and skills.

Using background check services can help you make informed hiring decisions while ensuring compliance with labor laws.

Related: Conducting Productive Reference Checks to Avoid Problem Hires


6. Consider Growth Potential & Culture Fit

A great candidate isn’t just someone who meets today’s job requirements—they should also be able to grow with your company.

  • Evaluate their willingness to learn and ability to adapt to new challenges.
  • Assess their cultural alignment—do they fit your company’s mission, values, and team dynamics?
  • Think long-term—will they thrive in your company and contribute to its success?

Finding a candidate who is both skilled and a cultural fit ensures higher job satisfaction and long-term retention.


So, How Can I Choose the Best Candidate for my Team?

The key is to balance skills, attitude, and cultural fit while using a structured hiring process.

At Amtec, we’ve spent over 65 years helping businesses make smarter hiring decisions through expert staffing solutions. By following these six hiring tips, you’ll be well-equipped to find and hire the right candidate for your team.

Need help hiring top talent? Contact Amtec today and let our experts streamline your hiring process!

Industries We Serve

Focused on building the workforce behind innovation
Amtec Bitz Newsletter banner
Join 16,500+ professionals for industry highlights every month
Share This Article:

Related Posts

View all posts