7 Signs You’re Hiring the Right Person

CPG Kacell
Oct 12
3 min read

Nothing feels worse at work than hiring someone you were excited about — only to realize weeks later it’s not working out. It’s frustrating, expensive, and emotionally draining.

At CPG, we’ve seen this happen far too often — not because founders don’t care, but because they’re not trained to see the right signs during the interview process.

Read until the end to get your free PDF resource that outlines all seven signs — plus the bonus tip Christian uses to guarantee great hires.

These seven signs will help you identify top performers before they even start — and dramatically improve your chances of hiring the right person the first time.

Two people in business attire sit at a table with a laptop, smiling in a bright office setting. Emphasizes a professional, friendly mood.

1. They Have a Clear Picture of Success

When a candidate talks about their work, listen for clarity.Do they describe what great looks like in that role?Strong candidates can articulate what success looks like — what they’d achieve in the next 90 days, and how they’d measure it.

👉 Ask this question: “If we hired you today, what would success look like after 90 days?”If they can give you metrics, actions, and outcomes — that’s your first green flag.

2. They Speak in Outcomes, Not Activities

Top performers talk results.Anyone can describe responsibilities — only great candidates describe results with numbers.

When interviewing, ask for STAR stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result) — but push for metrics.If they naturally speak in data and outcomes (“I reduced errors by 30% before deadline”), you’re interviewing someone who owns their work.

3. They Think in Systems

High performers think before they act.Instead of jumping straight into answers, they pause, ask clarifying questions, and map out inputs and outputs.

When you give them a messy scenario, a systems thinker will say:

“Before I answer, can I understand what the client expects? What resources do I have? What are the possible points of failure?”

That’s someone who won’t just solve problems — they’ll prevent them.

4. They’re Coachable in Real Time

Coachability isn’t just about accepting feedback — it’s about how fast they improve after receiving it.

During the interview, test this. Give them a short live exercise, provide pointed feedback, and see how they adjust.Do they get defensive? Or do they say, “I appreciate that — I didn’t think of it that way.”

If they absorb, adapt, and iterate quickly — that’s someone you can build with.

5. They Show Ownership and Bias to Action

The best hires don’t wait for permission to fix things. They volunteer solutions, close loops, and follow up without being asked.

You’ll know you’ve found a high-ownership candidate when they do things like:

Follow up after an interview with an updated resume or clarification.
Take initiative to correct small details or provide extra information.

That’s ownership in action — and it’s rare.

6. Their Values Align With Your Culture

You can’t fake alignment.When values align, conversations flow naturally — you find yourself laughing, losing track of time, and genuinely connecting.

Ask yourself: Would I actually enjoy working with this person every day?If the answer is yes, chances are their behavior reflects your team’s values.

7. They Have Strong Back Channels

This one separates good candidates from great ones.Ask: “Would your past employer rehire you?”

A confident candidate won’t hesitate — they’ll even offer references.If they’ve left behind good relationships, they’ll likely build the same with you.