It’s tempting to fill open positions on your team as quickly as possible. But to avoid skills gaps, it’s critical to take the time to understand which capabilities will truly add value to the team and organization—both now and in the future. Take these steps to assess your team before you post your next job listing.
 
Start by aligning your team’s goals with the broader organizational objectives. This helps you anticipate evolving skill requirements and ensures new hires meet both current demands and future growth—and that their skills will actually be put to use.
 
Then, instead of simply repurposing existing (or outdated) roles, perform a thorough talent assessment to identify existing skills and gaps. Use tools like 360-degree reviews and SWOT analyses to understand each team member’s capabilities. 
 
Next, assess your team’s culture and dynamics to ensure new hires complement the existing team’s collaborative style and can integrate smoothly.
 
Finally, consider your current team members’ career aspirations so you can avoid hiring new talent with overlapping aspirations, which can lead to frustration and hinder advancement opportunities.
This tip is adapted from “Don’t Post That Job Listing Before Taking These 5 Steps,” by Marlo Lyons
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