It’s interview time. And whether you’re going after a new job, hiring a new employee or vetting a new vendor, it’s good to be able to size up the talent pool of potential partners to see how well your personalities mesh.
These days, most everyone involved in these negotiations tends to check out their quarry on Facebook, LinkedIn and yes, even Twitter. It’s there that you find out how much a potential boss is a connoisseur of fine wines, or that the possible new hire that looked good on paper likes to compete in demolition derbies. (Note: Nothing wrong with some smash-em-up, but insuring this guy won’t be cheap.) There’s also the matter of bad reviews, which can turn a pitch meeting into a canceled appointment in short order.
This is all well and good, but what about using some actual people skills to find the right partners? Remember, this is someone, be it as employee or contractor, with whom you hope to work with for a long time. Do some live, in-person exploration to see if you click:
Talker or listener: If your conversation is less give and take, and more dominated by the other person, it could be a red flag. It may be nerves from the interview situation, or he or she could be a verbal bully.
Energy vampire: It doesn’t matter how big the talent, if someone’s a cesspool of negative energy, they drain everyone around them over time. Keep up the search, there’s bound to be someone just as smart, skilled, and a lot more fun to be around.
You like me, you really like me: Does he or she feel like they’re really enjoying chatting with you or is the kissing-up so obvious you want to run screaming from the room? Again, everyone’s on his or her best behavior, but there’s genuine interest and there’s shameless flattery. If it’s the latter, opt out early.
Are we there yet? Last but not least, would you go on a business trip (by car) with this person? It’s not like you’re going to be best friends overnight, but if the thought of a few hours trapped in a car with him or her gives you hives, trust your instincts and keep looking for the right partner.
When it comes to joining forces with someone else, there’s as much art as science to picking the right partner. Doing your homework is a great start, but paying attention to verbal and visual cues, as well as good old-fashioned gut instinct, will always carry the day.