Growth potential broadly encompasses the ability to learn, pick up tasks quickly, problem solve, learn from mistakes and adapt to working with others. Growth potential should be considered throughout the recruitment process; that is, at application, interview, reference checking and selection.
Consideration of a candidate’s growth potential involves assessment of whether a candidate is committed to self-improvement, is coachable, and can learn from mistakes. These indicators can be assessed as part of all key selection criteria.
Hiring managers can look at existing behavioural questions and consider how they can be adapted to probe for growth potential, or consider adding a part (b) to a question, such as:
- ‘What did you learn from that experience?’
- ‘If you had the opportunity again, would you approach things differently and why?’
The selection report should outline the hiring manager’s consideration of the preferred candidate’s growth potential, though noting that growth potential is assessed within the existing key selection criteria and not as a separate consideration.