Hiring In Desperation

By Phillip Gold, CDT, Business Development, By Design Dental Studio, Atlanta, GA

I’ll never forget the sinking feeling I got, early in my career as a lab manager, when a key employee—my model guy—came into my office, told me he wanted to talk (it wouldn’t take long) and then announced he was giving his notice. 

Because we were so busy, losing this person sent me into a state of total desperation; I had to find someone to replace him, and quickly. So I immediately went and hired the first guy I found. He had the talent to fill the position, that was clear. But I was so anxious to fill the vacant seat at the bench that I did only one interview and didn’t contact his past employers for a reference. 

In very little...