13 Jewelers on What They Learned From Their Hiring Horrors

WE ASKED our Brain Squad to tell us about their worst hiring disasters. Along with the horror stories, they shared something even more valuable — hard-won advice on what they’d do differently next time.

Fire Fast

• “We pull the plug very quick here, all because of our EOS training. Fill the bus seats up and kick people out of seats all the time now.” — Alan P., Wilmington, NC
• “I haven’t had any hiring disasters, but I have hired people who seemed like a fit in theory but were not in actuality. We followed Jim Collins’ advice in Good to Great, and fired fast.” — Angela C., Atascadero, CA
• “Nothing much to add, except every one of us probably waits too long to pull the plug. In the last year we fired someone with 30+ years and someone with 25+ years with us.” — Georgie G., Palo Alto, CA
• “A lazy fellow showed his colours two months into his employment. He was fired in the beginning of the third month.” — Mark R., Ottawa, ON
• “An employee who does not take ownership of their job.” — James S., Lowell, IN

The Interview Doesn’t Tell You Everything

• “They look and dress their best for the interview. Had one that looked sharp and then dressed like she was about to board a cruise ship every day. ChatGPT helped with a new dress code. We may be in SC but we don’t wear flip flops to work anymore!” — Allison L., Rock Hill, SC
• “Don’t have a long story but had a hire that lasted only a couple days. She simply froze up when it came to doing absolutely anything. Didn’t come off that way at all during the interview. It was very bizarre.” — Tom N., Spencer, IA
• “Use the pen drop during an interview to see if they’ll grab it before it hits the floor or pick it up if it hits the floor. It shows if they’re willing to do more than the minimum.” — Earl G., Port Washington, NY

The Chronic Lateness Problem

• “A great young person coming in and never on time, always on the phone, and then needs mental health days off. He lasted about 3 months.” — Drue S., Albany, NY
• “She was a doozer. Late, did not listen to suggestions, and the tennis shoes. After a few months she went to lunch and never came back. Worked for me!!” — Tommy T., Perry Hall, MD

Watch Your Hiring Sources

• “The one who told me I don’t charge enough for my services. They were an employee from a chain store. Never again will I hire a chain-store past employee.” — Laurie C., Hyde Park, NY
• “Indeed [popular job website] lets us down every time. I think of the 50 I’ve hired over many years, I have had one that worked out. I have stopped using them or any online hiring company.” — Christine M., Boyertown, PA
• “We hired someone right before Covid and they moved during Covid and ghosted me. Had another employee that refused to work weekends at Christmas and said she was sick — and wasn’t — but went to a family reunion.” — Gene A., Reidsville, NC