Filip Pesek, founder and CEO of DonnaPro, has criticised the practice of making hiring decisions based on 'gut feelings', describing it as 'lazy and negligent'. Pesek argues that while managers may use instinct for various decisions, it is particularly problematic in recruitment due to the significant impact of a bad hire.
Pesek suggests that many founders hire after a quick review of a CV and an interview where a candidate 'says the right thing', leading to a decision based on personal preference rather than objective assessment. He states that proper hiring requires understanding the necessary behaviours and skills for a role, as well as the team's needs.
According to Pesek, traditional CVs have become ineffective, serving as 'self-publicity' rather than providing genuine insight. He advocates for alternative methods, such as asking candidates to record video submissions to assess communication skills or conducting live thinking puzzles to observe problem-solving abilities without external tools. Pesek also notes that AI should be embraced as a tool, and assessments should focus on aspects AI cannot easily replicate, such as a candidate's personal philosophy.
Pesek's company typically takes around six weeks for hiring, a process he describes as slow but necessary to thoroughly evaluate candidates. He concludes that while hiring on instinct may appear decisive, it risks team dynamics and is ultimately 'nothing more than laziness'.