Many candidates can get the job done, but it can be a challenge finding employees that love coming into work, are extremely dedicated, and exhibit a “go the extra mile” type of energy.  Committed employees that believe in your organization’s mission and are willing to work hard, are essential for overall productivity.   As a manager, it is important you look for these passionate employees during the interview process.  Here are three tips to help you determine whether a candidate will be truly passionate about their job.

Look for Positive Body Language in the Interview.

When answering questions in an interview, body language and tone can tell a lot about how engaged a potential hire is about their work.  Do they use hand gestures when explaining how they performed in their previous role?  Do they become animated when describing a problem they solved? Do their eyes light up when they talk about their career goals? These are all signs that someone is enthusiastic and passionate about their work.  Be wary of a candidate that is monotone when describing what they liked about their last job or one that doesn’t maintain strong eye contact when delivering responses.

Have Candidates Tell You About their Interests Outside of Work.

Ask applicants what they are passionate about outside of the office.  An applicant that is excited to tell you about a hobby they have, sport they play, or nonprofit they’re involved with will be more likely bring enthusiasm to the office.  When someone is passionate about other aspects of their life, it carries over into their career.  Passion is a character trait; not an on and off switch.  On the contrary, someone that is not engaged in activities outside of work will be more likely to just go through the motions at their job.

Find Out if the Applicants are Risk Takers.

Passion is made up of confidence and courage.  When you are passionate about something, you’re willing to take a stand for something you believe in, even when it’s not the popular position.  Have candidates tell you about the last risk they took.  If they are impassioned, they will be able to give you an example.  If they haven’t taken any risks, chances are they usually play it safe and don’t question whether or not something can be improved.

While an applicant’s skills are important, it’s the employees that are driven and inspired that will lead your company to great success. Let the professionals at RealStreet Staffing assist you in pulling together a pool of passionate talent. Our team of qualified recruiters will deliver top engineering and construction professionals and design a staffing solution to fit your needs.  Contact us today to see how we can help.