So, how do you do this?

The hiring manager should work closely with the HR department to identify the skills and natural abilities required by the position and to create a Position Description, as we described in Chapter 3. Then, the manager must interview candidates with a keen eye to discover those skills and abilities. Talented HR professionals can help identify how to make those discoveries, but the hiring manager should be actively participating in the interview process.

Identifying the natural abilities needed for a particular position (for example, sales manager) is a relatively straightforward activity. Identifying candidates who actually possess those talents, however, is a bit more challenging.