Why Many Service Business Owners Fail at Hiring the “Right” Person

You know how frustrating it is to hire someone who looks great on paper but doesn't last 30 days.
For a lot of people who run service businesses, finding the right person to hire is like a never-ending guessing game.

You put up the ad, interview people, and hire them, but things still go wrong.

At CrazyPivot, we’ve worked with dozens of small service businesses across Indiana who’ve been stuck in this same cycle. What is the good news? There are good people out there, but that's not why. It's because most owners are looking for things in the wrong way or for the wrong things.

This is why hiring keeps going wrong and how to fix it for good.

1. They hire people based on their skills, not their character.

Most owners hire people based on what they can do, not who they are.
It's easy to teach technical skills in a service business, but it's not easy to teach values, work ethic, and attitude.

The "right" person doesn't always come in with a lot of experience. Sometimes they're the first to arrive, take charge, and ask the right questions.

Choose people based on their character. Train for skill.

If you focus on qualities like dependability, honesty, and working together, you'll spend less time hiring new people and more time training the ones you already have.

2. They hurry the hiring process

When your team is short-staffed and customers are waiting, it can be tempting to hire the first person who can fog a mirror. But quick hires often end in quick fires.

Instead, slow down just enough to think about your choices. • Follow a set process for interviews. • Ask questions that are specific to the situation, like, "Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer." • Check references (yes, they still matter).

Hiring isn't just about filling a spot; it's about finding someone who shares your values and culture.

3. They don't sell the chance

People who are good have choices. If you only sell the job, you'll lose them to someone who sells the future.

When you interview someone, ask them about: • How your company helps people grow; • The kind of team culture you're trying to create; • The bigger purpose behind what you do;

People don't just work for money; they work for a reason.

Show them why they should join your business.

4. They don't do onboarding and expect miracles.

A good start is important for even the best hire.
You can't just give them a uniform and tell them to "follow Joe—he'll show you the ropes."

A good onboarding system has: • Checklists for training • Standards for safety and customer service • Job shadowing with feedback • A meeting to review progress after 30 days

If you don't help them succeed early on, they'll think you don't care and leave.

5. They Forget to Lead, Not Just Run

The leadership, not the job, is a big reason why people quit.

Your team will stop paying attention to you if the only time they hear from you is when something goes wrong.
Real leaders: • Acknowledge hard work • Give feedback often • Set an example of the behavior they want to see

You will get and keep better people if your crew feels respected, supported, and like they are part of something bigger.

Final Thought: The Right People Don't Just Show Up; They Are Drawn To You

You need to be clear, patient, and a good leader to hire the right person.
It's about figuring out what "right" means for your business, creating a system that supports it, and leading in a way that makes good people want to stay.

If you're sick of the hiring rollercoaster and want to build a team that really helps your business grow, get in touch with CrazyPivot today. We'll help you come up with a hiring process that brings in people who stay.