I read “Hiring Secrets of the NFL” for the first time about a month ago and I’ve picked it up several times since to recapture the author’s unique perspective on top talent selection .   I recommend it as a must read for recruiters and everyone else interested in creating exceptional teams.
 

Recruiting Impact Book Review

Hiring Secrets of the NFL

How Your Company Can Select Talent Like a Champion

by Isaac Cheifetz
 

In each chapter of the book, Isaac Cheifetz uncovers a number of hiring, selection and utilization “secrets” discovered over the years in the highly competitive world of the NFL.  The “secrets” are then offered as guide posts to better decision making in the selection of key talent for business teams.  There are 40 “secrets” in all.

The book starts with a “KICKOFF” and then drills through nine chapters of talent selection recommendations (“secrets”) for hiring executives taken directly from (drafting, trading, selection) lessons learned by owners, executives and coaches in the NFL.  It ends, of course, with “THE END ZONE” (a full summary of all the “secrets” revealed throughout the book).  You don’t need to be a football fan to gain a lot from the book, but you’ll probably enjoy it more if you’re familiar with the game of football and some NFL history.

At only 115 pages, this is a richly packed, thought provoking and important book for anyone involved in recruiting, selection and hiring.  Isaac Cheifetz brings a uniquely powerful perspective to the exploration of the devastating costs of critical hiring mistakes and the destiny-changing impact of right-fit talent selection.

This isn’t just another book about building teams by hiring superstars with “team player” attitudes.  The author digs much deeper and challenges some of the boxed-set philosophies still held by many hiring managers struggling to break beyond mediocrity, or even failure, in building their organizations.

Buy the book.  Read it.  Keep it on a shelf close by.  You may find yourself going back to it frequently.

In his not-so-politically-correct book TKO HIRING – Ten Knockout Strategies for Recruiting, Interviewing and Hiring Great People, Dave Anderson of Learn to Lead smacks some recruiting basics with simplicity and candor.  Dave comes from the retail auto dealership world and brings a refreshing, straight-line perspective to the recruiting subject.

Well written.  To the point.  Clear, basic, and confrontational.  Uniquely presented and unstuffed.   

The Knockout theme is expanded in ten “Rounds” (chapters), complete with “Right Hook Rules” and “Left Jab Laws”. 

The TOC:

Round One        Understand the Cost of Hiring Recklessly

Round Two        Become a Proactive Recruiter

Round Three      Create a Potent Interview Structure

Round Four        Ask Tough Interview Questions

Round Five         Effectively Check References

Round Six          How to Use Predictive Testing Hiring Profiles

Round Seven      How to Get New Hires Off to a Great Start

Round Eight       How to Retain Eagles Once You Find Them

Round Nine        Differentiate Your Employees for Development and Retention

Round Ten         Knockout Summary for Follow-Through

Don’t buy this book if you’re looking for the defining treatise on talent acquisition strategy and tactic.  The book is aimed at hiring managers stuck in a sloppy, bad-hire rut with the resulting poor performance and turnover.  It’s a basic slap (or punch, as the theme may suggest) in the face with inalterable hiring success basics. 

In summary, I think this is a good first level primer for executive leaders, hiring managers and recruiters alike.  Especially for those who hire salespeople. 

Bloggers, you’ll appreciate the writing style.

I’d love to read more by Dave Anderson on the subject!