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Healthcare is a people-first profession. Yet, traditional hiring practices often rely heavily on resumes—documents that only reveal work history, education, and technical credentials. In today’s high-stakes and human-centered healthcare environments, that simply isn’t enough.
A study published by the Harvard Business Review found that 78% of hiring failures are due to a lack of soft skills and cultural fit—not a lack of qualifications. For healthcare organizations in Canada facing burnout, turnover, and staff shortages, this insight is more relevant than ever.
So, what should you be looking for instead? Personality, passion, and potential.
Empathy, communication, adaptability—these traits don’t appear on a resume, but they are central to effective patient care. When hiring for roles like personal support workers (PSWs), nurses, and allied health professionals, assessing how a candidate will interact with patients and colleagues is just as important as their credentials.
A report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) emphasizes the growing need for interpersonal skills as healthcare becomes increasingly collaborative and patient-centered.
Teams thrive when personalities align. On the flip side, poor cultural fit can lead to gossip, silos, and toxicity. If you're noticing these patterns, our guide on organizational dysfunction dives deeper into how the wrong hires can disrupt culture and morale.
Candidates who demonstrate a genuine passion for healthcare are more likely to stay motivated, adapt to change, and remain with your organization long term. This intrinsic motivation is especially valuable in demanding roles and can be a safeguard against burnout.
In fact, research from Gallup shows that employees who feel connected to their work are 27% more likely to report excellent performance and 41% lower absenteeism.
Rather than focusing solely on “what have you done,” ask: “Why do you do it?” Pay attention to:
Our resource on creating a positive work environment explores how passion-based hiring contributes to workplace satisfaction and team cohesion.
Healthcare is evolving rapidly. From digital health platforms to AI diagnostics, today’s entry-level hire needs to grow into tomorrow’s leader.
The World Health Organization highlights ongoing professional development and adaptability as key components in healthcare workforce sustainability.
That’s why screening for potential—not just past experience—is vital.
Look for signs that a candidate is coachable and curious. Do they:
For more tips on nurturing talent from within, explore ways to improve work performance.
Conventional hiring methods lack tools to evaluate personality, emotional intelligence, or potential. Static resumes and rigid job descriptions can filter out incredible talent before they even get a foot in the door.
Our article on traditional and new staffing models explains why relying only on the old ways no longer works.
Caring Support enables healthcare employers to:
This allows you to hire faster while prioritizing fit, passion, and growth potential—factors a resume simply can’t measure.
To learn more, check out better recruitment using healthcare staffing technology.
In the high-touch, high-stakes world of healthcare, hiring must evolve. Credentials are important, but they don’t tell the full story. By focusing on personality, passion, and potential, employers can build teams that are not only qualified but also connected, motivated, and built to last.
Healthcare is about people. Shouldn’t hiring be too?
If you're ready to hire smarter and build a more resilient healthcare workforce, explore the Caring Support platform today.
We'll keep you updated on all new application updates and features!