Article

How to Identify Best-Fit Employees and Build an Empowering Employee Experience

By : Sherif Zeinolabedin

In today’s dynamic business environment, finding the right talent isn’t just about filling positions—it’s about identifying best-fit employees. These are individuals who align with the company’s goals, culture, and values, embodying the characteristics the organization ideally wants to retain and attract. This article explores why defining the best-fit employee is crucial, how companies can profile these individuals, and how to create an employee experience that enables them to thrive.

Why Is Identifying the Best-Fit Employee Important?

Every company has unique aspirations and challenges. If innovation and creativity are central to a company’s mission, its workforce must reflect these qualities. Best-fit employees contribute not only to the immediate goals but also help shape the organization’s culture and long-term success. Misalignment, on the other hand, can lead to disengagement, high turnover, and underperformance.

There is an essential distinction between technical requirements and personality requirements in building your workforce. While technical requirements help fill positions and meet operational needs, personality requirements are what build a strong and cohesive culture. A company that overlooks this distinction risks hiring individuals who may meet job descriptions but fail to contribute to the broader cultural goals.

How to Profile the Best-Fit Employee

To build a profile for the best-fit employee, companies should focus on three key areas: personality, motives, and mindset.

 

  1. Personality Traits: Identify the traits that align with your company’s needs. For example, if innovation is a priority, look for individuals who are curious, open to new ideas, and comfortable with ambiguity.
  2. Motives and Values: Understand what drives your ideal employee. Is it the opportunity to solve complex problems, the ability to collaborate, or the chance to make a meaningful impact? Identifying these motivations ensures that you attract individuals who are genuinely inspired by the work environment.
  3. Mindset and Skills: Define the thinking style and competencies that fit the role. A company prioritizing creativity might seek employees with a growth mindset who embrace challenges and continuously strive for improvement.

 

It’s crucial to remember that culture isn’t built by programs—it’s built by people. The individuals within your organization are the ones who shape and sustain the culture. Therefore, companies must go beyond merely outlining the desired cultural attributes and actively filter for the qualities that contribute to building the desired culture. Once identified, these characteristics should be amplified and reinforced throughout the employee experience.

Building an Employee Experience Around the Best-Fit Profile

Once the best-fit employee profile is established, the next step is designing an employee experience that supports and empowers them. This involves creating the right environment, opportunities, and culture for them to thrive.

 

  1. Onboarding That Resonates: Tailor onboarding programs to reflect the values and goals aligned with the best-fit profile. This sets the tone and reinforces the importance of these qualities from day one.
  2. Empowerment Through Culture: Foster an environment that enables the best-fit employees to excel. For example:
    • Encourage open communication for creative roles.
    • Provide flexibility for employees who value work-life balance.
    • Recognize and reward behaviors aligned with the desired mindset.
  3. Continuous Development: Offer training, mentorship, and resources to nurture the skills and traits identified in the profile. For instance, employees who thrive on innovation could benefit from design thinking workshops or collaborative brainstorming sessions.
  4. Performance Management Aligned with Values: Design performance management systems that reflect the characteristics of the best-fit profile. Highlight achievements related to creativity, collaboration, or innovation, depending on your company’s priorities.
  5. Tailored Employee Benefits: Customize benefits and perks to appeal to the values and motives of your best-fit employees. For example, a company targeting creative professionals might invest in wellness programs that support mental clarity and inspiration.
  6. Touchpoints Alignment: Ensure that all employee interactions, from recruitment to exit interviews, are aligned with the company’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP). Consistency across touchpoints reinforces trust and commitment.
  7. Exit Interviews for Alignment: Use exit interviews to gather feedback on how well the company supported employees’ needs. This insight can refine the employee experience for future hires.

The Outcome: A Thriving Workforce

By identifying and catering to the best-fit employee, companies create an environment that attracts the right talent, retains high performers, and cultivates a culture of success. This targeted approach doesn’t just fill roles—it builds a thriving organization where employees and business goals are perfectly aligned.

The key takeaway is simple: positions are filled by technical skills, but cultures are built by people. By prioritizing personality traits, motives, and alignment with cultural goals, organizations ensure that every employee becomes a meaningful contributor to the broader vision. With the right strategy, companies can unlock the full potential of their workforce, ensuring that every employee has the tools, opportunities, and environment they need to excel.