For Nick Jones, one aspect of employee recruitment takes precedence over all others.
“I always tell folks—especially new managers—that they should focus on hiring based on a candidates’ values,” says Jones, vice president of community wellness at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Jones adds that if a candidate proves to be a strong fit for your organization, you can provide them with the technical training to ensure their success. “It's important to have good people you can trust in roles that can carry the mission forward,” Jones says.
Jones sees the fruits of that labor firsthand. Each year, Nationwide Children’s hosts a free tax-preparation clinic for needy families and enlists employees as volunteers to staff the clinics. “We have a lot of people who are socially committed to their communities and want to do more outside of just their regular jobs,” Jones says.
The benefits of values-based hiring are far reaching, according to Jones. Amid a tight labor market in which children’s hospitals are exploring creative ways to retain talent, it can’t be overlooked.
“While our society and the workplace have certainly evolved in many ways with technology and everything else, I think certain things—like a person’s values—are still core to running an effective and impactful company or organization,” Jones says.
Read more about how Nationwide Children’s tax-preparation program helps low-income families claim millions in tax credits, improved lives and better health.
