Recruitment is just like marriage, says Martin Luise, managing director of national headhunter and recruitment agency Charles Fellowes.
YES, you read right. Recruitment really is just like marriage. While most employers see the wisdom in spending a little extra time to find the right person, some just cannot wait to get the process over and get back to normal.
And if getting back to normal means having your chosen one fit into your routine without any consideration for his or her personality or needs, both marriage and recruitment run into difficulties.
Getting together is the easy bit, particularly if you have an experienced matchmaker. Keeping it going long term is much harder. Fewer than 40% of marriages end in divorce, but research shows that more than 70% of senior employees leave in the first two years.
Employers often say that people are their greatest asset, and this has never been truer than in today's economic climate. But it is surprising how many make little or no effort to integrate new staff when they join.
First, as in any marriage, both partners need to make time for regular discussion. In a work situation, this means the new employee and his or her immediate superior must talk. It is important that these exchanges are open and honest.
Second, channels of communication must be opened up between the new member of staff and anyone with an interest in the appointment being a success. This is likely to be with senior people, or, in some cases, those on the same level.
And, as in any relationship, each side must be sure it has not fallen in love with a fantasy. Each may have been so keen for things to work out that they ignored warning signs, or looked for confirmation of a positive impression.
This does not mean that the employer should come crashing down on an unsuspecting appointee, stifling any creativity and enthusiasm. It does mean that teamwork should be used to solve any difficulties.
If an employer is not prepared to make changes, or to take steps to integrate the skills and experience that a new arrival brings, he must be ready to see a few hasty departures