We believe people are the route to success. Hiring the right people can drive a business forward. Hiring the wrong ones? That’s a different story.

At La Fosse, we’ve spent more than seven years helping organisations avoid expensive hiring pitfalls. We know what works, and what doesn’t. Here are some of the most common recruitment mistakes we see, and how to avoid them…

1. Writing vague job descriptions

A job advert is your shop window. If it’s unclear, full of buzzwords, or lacking in detail, you’ll either attract the wrong candidates, or none at all.

What to do instead: Be honest and be specific. Focus on the skills and experience the role really needs, and explain how it fits into the wider team. A strong job description helps candidates picture themselves in the role, or more importantly, know if it’s for them.

2. Hiring in a hurry

We understand the urgency when roles need to be filled, projects need to move, and your team is under pressure. But rushing the hiring process can lead to poor decisions, and unnecessarily high turnover.

What to do instead: Speed doesn’t have to mean shortcuts. With a clear plan and the right support, you can move quickly and make smart choices. That’s where a trusted partner like La Fosse can step in – keeping momentum high while making sure the candidates are a great fit.

3. Relying too heavily on ‘culture fit’

Hiring someone who ‘fits in’ sounds great on paper. But if it becomes a tick-box for shared hobbies or similar backgrounds, you risk building a team that all thinks the same – and that can hold your business back.

What to do instead: Look for a culture add. Focus on people who share your values but bring new ideas and different perspectives. That’s how you build stronger, more diverse, and more creative teams.

4. Overlooking internal talent

Sometimes the best person for the job is already in the business – but gets passed over because they’re not on the hiring radar.

What to do instead: Create pathways for progression and give people the tools to step up. Not only is this good for retention, it also saves you time and money compared to bringing in someone new.

5. Treating recruitment as a one-off task

Too often, businesses see hiring as a single action – post a job, review CVs, interview, hire. But great recruitment is part of a bigger picture. It’s about building teams that grow with you.

What to do instead: Think long-term. Partnering with an experienced recruitment team – like us here at La Fosse – means you’re not starting from scratch every time. We help clients build an all-encompassing approach to hiring, so they can scale faster, smarter, and with less friction.

Why La Fosse?

We’ve been helping businesses make smarter tech hires for over seven years. From entry-level placements to senior leadership superstars, our four specialist divisions cover every corner of the tech space – making sure you get the right people, right when you need them.

If you’re ready to stop making the same hiring mistakes and start building a better team, we’re ready to help.

Ready for success? Submit a vacancy, apply for a job, or get in touch with the La Fosse Team.