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Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers
In their book Foolproof Hiring, business leaders and hiring experts Brad Smart and Chris Mursau give readers an easy-to-follow instruction course in Topgrading. This nationally - known and time-tested hiring methodology has been a proven winner in finding A players for thousands of businesses for more than thirty years.
Smart and Mursau distill the key tenets of Topgrading -- a systematic and comprehensive process – into simple explanations of the most common hiring problems. Then they offer clear and practical solutions to each problem. Deploying an effective mix of narrative, anecdotes, third-party research and more, the authors bring real-life hiring scenarios into sharp focus while offering a clear path for hiring managers to jump-start their efforts to find and hire more high performers.
Any hiring manager – not just HR managers – can benefit from the tools and processes in Foolproof Hiring. It’s your key to streamlining your hiring so that you’re seeing fewer but better candidates so you can pack your team with A players. That’s a formula that’s better for you, your career, and your organization. Why settle for mediocre hiring methods when you can leverage the knowledge and experience of proven results in the world of finding and hiring top talent.
Smart and Mursau distill the key tenets of Topgrading -- a systematic and comprehensive process – into simple explanations of the most common hiring problems. Then they offer clear and practical solutions to each problem. Deploying an effective mix of narrative, anecdotes, third-party research and more, the authors bring real-life hiring scenarios into sharp focus while offering a clear path for hiring managers to jump-start their efforts to find and hire more high performers.
Any hiring manager – not just HR managers – can benefit from the tools and processes in Foolproof Hiring. It’s your key to streamlining your hiring so that you’re seeing fewer but better candidates so you can pack your team with A players. That’s a formula that’s better for you, your career, and your organization. Why settle for mediocre hiring methods when you can leverage the knowledge and experience of proven results in the world of finding and hiring top talent.
- GenresBusinessNonfiction
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2023
33 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 17, 2024
Started off well but ends with too much self promotion. “Who” is still the best topgrading book
April 23, 2024
Horrible.
June 1, 2023
In my professional life, I have been able to see a thousand times how everything that is said in this book is totally real and I wish I could share it with all human resources people and I would also recommend that all CEOs to have it as a guide for their recruiting teams. In this book, you will be able to understand the importance of hiring the right people for your business, something that most HR teams in companies fail because they lack understanding and applying simple methods to improve the process.
This book is a guide to achieve a successful recruitment process; you will be able to see how issues as simple as an interview have always been handled and how the appropriate approach should be to find the right personnel. I love to see how everything is from the experience and study of the author, taking as an example many companies, large or medium-sized, and from any industry to find those chronic problems in the process; and this book shows solutions. Highly recommended.
This book is a guide to achieve a successful recruitment process; you will be able to see how issues as simple as an interview have always been handled and how the appropriate approach should be to find the right personnel. I love to see how everything is from the experience and study of the author, taking as an example many companies, large or medium-sized, and from any industry to find those chronic problems in the process; and this book shows solutions. Highly recommended.
June 2, 2023
The authors of "Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers," Brad Smart and Chris Mursau, provide readers with an easy-to-follow course of instruction on Topgrading. But, what is Topgrading? This is a well-known methodology that allows the identification of various types of candidates according to a scale of core values and evaluating the potential of the candidate through their competencies.
I believe that the authors created a complete book full of information for all those entrepreneurs who are looking to hire people. In addition, the explanation about Topgrading methodology is simple and easy to read. Certainly, I recommend this helpful and explanatory book.
I believe that the authors created a complete book full of information for all those entrepreneurs who are looking to hire people. In addition, the explanation about Topgrading methodology is simple and easy to read. Certainly, I recommend this helpful and explanatory book.
May 26, 2023
Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys To Hiring HIGH Performers, by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau, is a nonfiction easy-to-follow guide in Toptrading. A time-tested hiring method that has been a winning operation for more than thirty years. Smart and Mursau explain the common problems when it comes to hiring employees. Then, they offer solutions to each problem. Their semantics, narratives, and research put scripts into perspective, showing a new, different, and better way for employers to hire high-performing employees. HR, and any company’s manager, could benefit from Foolproof Hiring.
Smart and Mursau write this book in an easy-to-read style. Foolproof Hiring gives valuable information to help make the right decisions and hire the most productive people. They truly help build successful business teams.
Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys To Hiring HIGH Performers, by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau, easily earns a five-star if not ten-star rating. The book is helpful beyond words.
Smart and Mursau write this book in an easy-to-read style. Foolproof Hiring gives valuable information to help make the right decisions and hire the most productive people. They truly help build successful business teams.
Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys To Hiring HIGH Performers, by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau, easily earns a five-star if not ten-star rating. The book is helpful beyond words.
May 30, 2023
get the right people in your business with this book
High performers by Brad Smart & Chris Mursau is the tool that you need if you are working in talent acquisition.
One of the biggest concerns in big companies is the lack of talent and the nightmare that bad hires are; however, the authors of this book are some of the world’s leading experts in hiring. With their experience, they have been identifying the most serious and chronic hiring problems. So, in this book, you will find how to get the right people in your business.
This book for me is the perfect tool which has discussions about the traditional hiring process, the most common ineffective processes, the typical fails in verification and interviews among others. If you are a human's resource leader or a talent acquisition leader or manager, this is the perfect book for you to identify what are the failures that your team has been committing and restructure it in order to improve your hiring results. Totally recommended.
High performers by Brad Smart & Chris Mursau is the tool that you need if you are working in talent acquisition.
One of the biggest concerns in big companies is the lack of talent and the nightmare that bad hires are; however, the authors of this book are some of the world’s leading experts in hiring. With their experience, they have been identifying the most serious and chronic hiring problems. So, in this book, you will find how to get the right people in your business.
This book for me is the perfect tool which has discussions about the traditional hiring process, the most common ineffective processes, the typical fails in verification and interviews among others. If you are a human's resource leader or a talent acquisition leader or manager, this is the perfect book for you to identify what are the failures that your team has been committing and restructure it in order to improve your hiring results. Totally recommended.
June 1, 2023
Foolproof Strategies for Acquiring High Performers
"Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers" by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau is a highly recommended book that provides valuable insights and practical strategies for successful hiring. The authors' extensive experience and expertise in the field are evident as they present a systematic and scientific approach to hiring. From job analysis to effective interviews and decision-making, the book offers a step-by-step framework that ensures hiring high-performing individuals. It emphasizes the importance of gathering objective data and utilizing behavioral-based interviewing techniques to identify candidates who are likely to excel. The book also focuses on the key attributes and behaviors that differentiate average performers from top performers, providing guidance on how to attract and select high performers. Overall, "Foolproof Hiring" is an essential resource for HR professionals, managers, and business owners who want to improve their hiring processes and build a team of high performers.
"Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers" by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau is a highly recommended book that provides valuable insights and practical strategies for successful hiring. The authors' extensive experience and expertise in the field are evident as they present a systematic and scientific approach to hiring. From job analysis to effective interviews and decision-making, the book offers a step-by-step framework that ensures hiring high-performing individuals. It emphasizes the importance of gathering objective data and utilizing behavioral-based interviewing techniques to identify candidates who are likely to excel. The book also focuses on the key attributes and behaviors that differentiate average performers from top performers, providing guidance on how to attract and select high performers. Overall, "Foolproof Hiring" is an essential resource for HR professionals, managers, and business owners who want to improve their hiring processes and build a team of high performers.
July 29, 2023
3.75
A thorough and concise introduction to the Topgrading method of hiring new employees of quality that will be an asset to any company.
Because this is an introduction to Topgrading, it is hard for me to judge whether or not this method is an effective one worth spending time and money on. I suppose the only way to know for certain is for the person in charge of hiring to actually try it and see if it works for them.
There is a bit of fluff in this book that reads a bit like one of those paid programs one sees on television, but all in all I found this book to be informative and well written.
The only thing I wish was included in this book is a section on how to handle reference calls with former companies that have people in a position of power that are awful low performers themselves (and so therefore would not give accurate feedback on a candidate being considered for hire), as well as how to approach incoming candidates who have been employed in businesses that are no longer in business and therefore cannot be contacted for reference interviews.
A thorough and concise introduction to the Topgrading method of hiring new employees of quality that will be an asset to any company.
Because this is an introduction to Topgrading, it is hard for me to judge whether or not this method is an effective one worth spending time and money on. I suppose the only way to know for certain is for the person in charge of hiring to actually try it and see if it works for them.
There is a bit of fluff in this book that reads a bit like one of those paid programs one sees on television, but all in all I found this book to be informative and well written.
The only thing I wish was included in this book is a section on how to handle reference calls with former companies that have people in a position of power that are awful low performers themselves (and so therefore would not give accurate feedback on a candidate being considered for hire), as well as how to approach incoming candidates who have been employed in businesses that are no longer in business and therefore cannot be contacted for reference interviews.
May 30, 2023
A valuable resource...
Foolproof Hiring by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau is an exceptional guidebook that equips hiring managers with powerful strategies to attract and retain top talent. Drawing from their extensive experience and expertise in the field, Smart and Mursau introduce readers to the time-tested Topgrading methodology—a systematic and comprehensive approach to hiring that has consistently delivered A players for businesses over the past three decades.
The authors skillfully distill the core principles of Topgrading into accessible insights, addressing common hiring challenges and providing practical solutions. By combining narrative storytelling, real-life scenarios, and compelling third-party research, Smart and Mursau bring the hiring process into sharp focus. Readers are presented with a clear roadmap to identify, attract, and select high performers who will have a significant impact on their organizations. Highly recommended.
Foolproof Hiring by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau is an exceptional guidebook that equips hiring managers with powerful strategies to attract and retain top talent. Drawing from their extensive experience and expertise in the field, Smart and Mursau introduce readers to the time-tested Topgrading methodology—a systematic and comprehensive approach to hiring that has consistently delivered A players for businesses over the past three decades.
The authors skillfully distill the core principles of Topgrading into accessible insights, addressing common hiring challenges and providing practical solutions. By combining narrative storytelling, real-life scenarios, and compelling third-party research, Smart and Mursau bring the hiring process into sharp focus. Readers are presented with a clear roadmap to identify, attract, and select high performers who will have a significant impact on their organizations. Highly recommended.
June 1, 2023
In this book, renowned business experts Brad Smart and Chris Mursau provide readers with an easy-to-follow instructional course on how to improve the hiring process and build A-player teams. Through their experience and knowledge, Smart and Mursau provide practical advice and effective strategies to optimize the hiring and selection process.
The primary focus of this book is to help business leaders see fewer candidates but ensure that the ones they select are the best. The authors emphasize the importance of hiring highly skilled and committed employees who will not only fit easily into the team but will also drive the success of the organization.
This book is valuable reading for any business leader looking to improve their hiring process and build high-performing teams. Smart and Mursau's practical advice and experience-based strategies provide effective guidance for selecting and retaining top talent.
The primary focus of this book is to help business leaders see fewer candidates but ensure that the ones they select are the best. The authors emphasize the importance of hiring highly skilled and committed employees who will not only fit easily into the team but will also drive the success of the organization.
This book is valuable reading for any business leader looking to improve their hiring process and build high-performing teams. Smart and Mursau's practical advice and experience-based strategies provide effective guidance for selecting and retaining top talent.
June 3, 2023
Rating: 4 1/2 to 5 stars
Headline: Hiring made based on tried methods
This book discusses the hiring method of one company that many human resources employees use when hiring and onboarding new employees; is it the best method out there?
Using the idea that the best employees are proactive, this method suggests using a multi-tiered approach to find and create the best employee hired at your company. The book indicates a soon-to-be-hired employee will arrange reference calls based on the information about being onboarded.
What I loved about this book was the chapter summary at the end of each chapter; you could quickly read through it to get an idea of the book.
I did not love the suggestion that people don't tell the truth about their situation; even though I know that people do this, reading it in a book about being newly hired is depressing.
But it suggests you are a new hire if the new employer thinks you are worth the risk.
Headline: Hiring made based on tried methods
This book discusses the hiring method of one company that many human resources employees use when hiring and onboarding new employees; is it the best method out there?
Using the idea that the best employees are proactive, this method suggests using a multi-tiered approach to find and create the best employee hired at your company. The book indicates a soon-to-be-hired employee will arrange reference calls based on the information about being onboarded.
What I loved about this book was the chapter summary at the end of each chapter; you could quickly read through it to get an idea of the book.
I did not love the suggestion that people don't tell the truth about their situation; even though I know that people do this, reading it in a book about being newly hired is depressing.
But it suggests you are a new hire if the new employer thinks you are worth the risk.
May 30, 2023
This book was the most interesting read! Foolproof Hiring Powerful: Proven Keys to Hiring High Performers was written by the very successful business leaders and hiring experts Brad Smart and Chris Mursau.
In this incredible book, the authors very eloquently share with us their knowledge and expertise on how to implement Topgrading, which is a strategic approach to talent management and hiring that aims to identify and attract high-performing individuals for key positions within an organization.
I believe that the best thing about this method is that it reduces hiring mistakes and increase the likelihood of selecting individuals who will excel in their roles, something that I can really appreciate as a business owner myself.
I recommend this book to anyone looking to improve the overall quality of their company's workforce and maximize its success!
In this incredible book, the authors very eloquently share with us their knowledge and expertise on how to implement Topgrading, which is a strategic approach to talent management and hiring that aims to identify and attract high-performing individuals for key positions within an organization.
I believe that the best thing about this method is that it reduces hiring mistakes and increase the likelihood of selecting individuals who will excel in their roles, something that I can really appreciate as a business owner myself.
I recommend this book to anyone looking to improve the overall quality of their company's workforce and maximize its success!
June 2, 2023
Foolproof Hiring by authors Brad Smart and Chris Mursau is an exceptional guide that provides human resources managers and personnel with invaluable insights and strategies for attracting and retaining the most talented employees. Using all of their experience and knowledge in the field, Smart and Mursau describe and explain the Topgrading method. This successful method, which for the last decades has provided companies with excellent employees, includes a systematic and comprehensive approach to personnel recruitment.
The authors introduce basic principles of Topgrading, address common challenges that can arise in the process of hiring staff, and provide practical solutions. By combining the theoretical explanation and illustrating it with real life scenarios, the authors make this book very sensible and practical. Highly recommended.
The authors introduce basic principles of Topgrading, address common challenges that can arise in the process of hiring staff, and provide practical solutions. By combining the theoretical explanation and illustrating it with real life scenarios, the authors make this book very sensible and practical. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2023
“Fullproof Hiring” by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau explores the reasons why most companies have difficulties with hiring the best performers. It also explains what one can do to ensure that the best possible candidates are found and employed.
The authors present us with five major hiring problems and provide us with solutions for them. My favorite chapter deals with shallow and unrevealing interviews. It describes how Brad Smart conducted his first interview as an expert on this subject by conducting a full career interview. Brad learned a great deal from this and became an accomplished interviewer.
This book is priceless for anyone running a business or company who wants successful outcomes when hiring new employees.
The authors present us with five major hiring problems and provide us with solutions for them. My favorite chapter deals with shallow and unrevealing interviews. It describes how Brad Smart conducted his first interview as an expert on this subject by conducting a full career interview. Brad learned a great deal from this and became an accomplished interviewer.
This book is priceless for anyone running a business or company who wants successful outcomes when hiring new employees.
June 1, 2023
Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau is a great resource especially targeted to hiring managers and talent acquisition team members who are looking for the best employee to add to the company. It especially highlights Topgrading which serves as a great tool in the hiring process. Companies want to hire the best and the right people and these days, it's almost quite challenging to select which person fits the role perfectly. I have never worked as a hiring manager nor I have influence in the hiring process and decision-making but the contents in this book are good information and I think I can use them if I ever get to hire people for my business one day.
June 4, 2023
Don’t hesitate.
“Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers” by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau is such a helpful guide. Especially if you are working in the HR branch or a similar one. Any place where you interact and decide over employees, this book will end up being incredibly insightful. It will teach you effectiveness, a structured way of doing things, and more efficiency.
The book is based on many strains of research including own experiences, anecdotes and third-party research. To keep it clear. I really recommend this guide. Especially if you are working on hiring lots of people. Definitely one of a kind. Don’t hesitate. I promise you won’t regret it.
“Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers” by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau is such a helpful guide. Especially if you are working in the HR branch or a similar one. Any place where you interact and decide over employees, this book will end up being incredibly insightful. It will teach you effectiveness, a structured way of doing things, and more efficiency.
The book is based on many strains of research including own experiences, anecdotes and third-party research. To keep it clear. I really recommend this guide. Especially if you are working on hiring lots of people. Definitely one of a kind. Don’t hesitate. I promise you won’t regret it.
May 28, 2023
The book Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers by the authors Brad Smart and Chris Mursau tells us how to optimize when making hiring decisions using a system that they have been perfecting for more than 30 years. The information that this book gives us is clear and well organized, anyone without previous experience can understand it, it is a very useful book and I totally recommend it. What I like most about this book is that it explains many of the difficult and problematic points of hiring, but at the same time it gives us solutions to these problems in order to have work teams made up of the most efficient talents.
May 31, 2023
Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers is a very useful guidebook written by the authors Brad Smart and Chris Mursau. The book is aimed at managers and CEOs who are willing to build successful working teams in their companies and businesses. At the beginning of this guide, the authors point out the common mistakes managers do when recruiting staff; then they mention helpful tips and tools to consider when hiring employees to make your company the best. They give some practical examples which help the readers to understand every concept better. I think this book is perfect for all companies’ heads who wants to be at the top and make great profits.
February 9, 2024
A players will be glad to provide references. Ask them how their former boss will grade their performance and ask them to organize a reference call. A players will gladly set this up and the ratings tend to be accurate.
A players are not cheap- don’t be cheap
A players want to work with A players and don’t like working with low performers
A players:
Smart business savvy
Passionate
Driven
High performer
Honest
Adaptable (adjust to multiple personalities)
Resourceful. (Big one- initiative, calculated risk, determined, don’t give up)
Overcome obstacles
Good leader
Grounded - down to earth
Self aware
A players are not cheap- don’t be cheap
A players want to work with A players and don’t like working with low performers
A players:
Smart business savvy
Passionate
Driven
High performer
Honest
Adaptable (adjust to multiple personalities)
Resourceful. (Big one- initiative, calculated risk, determined, don’t give up)
Overcome obstacles
Good leader
Grounded - down to earth
Self aware
November 5, 2023
Foolproof Hiring is a good introduction to the Topgrading methodology for hiring, explaining the components and why you want to use them. To fully implement the tools there needs to be investment in both interviewer training and software. As a first level manager in a large company, I found the book insightful yet would need corporate support to implement the ideas.
Systemic bias in the workplace is not addressed in the book, so I wonder how well those with oppressed identities do with Topgrading interview methods.
Systemic bias in the workplace is not addressed in the book, so I wonder how well those with oppressed identities do with Topgrading interview methods.
May 18, 2023
a great overview of the Topgrading program
Reading this book I’m left with a better understanding of the importance of hiring A players. It’s not a simple process and one that most owners won’t likely want to do the full legwork themselves. I’m convinced though that Topgrading will improve the likelihood of getting A players on your team which is a requirement to be a top growth company.
Reading this book I’m left with a better understanding of the importance of hiring A players. It’s not a simple process and one that most owners won’t likely want to do the full legwork themselves. I’m convinced though that Topgrading will improve the likelihood of getting A players on your team which is a requirement to be a top growth company.
April 27, 2023
Rounded up from 3.5. Listened to an audio version for NetGalley. This book heavily focuses on top grading, a hiring method. Currently I work in HR and found this extremely interesting. If managers are looking for one book to learn more about hiring, this would not be it. If you’ve read other books in the past and feel experienced within the hiring process, this might be a good listen for you.
March 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Foolproof Hiring provides practical insights and strategies that are easy to understand and apply in real-world situations. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skills and approach to business challenges.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Foolproof Hiring provides practical insights and strategies that are easy to understand and apply in real-world situations. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skills and approach to business challenges.
March 21, 2023
I thought that it was really informative and interesting to see their perspective. As someone who has both been a hiring manager and an employee, I agree with some of their takeaways in Chapter 8. I received a review copy from NetGalley and have left my opinion.
June 15, 2024
Quick read. Nice summary at the end of each chapter, and they tell you in the introduction to pay attention to the summary because it will flag you if you didn’t grasp a concept.
Focuses on the problems with interviewing and how Topgrading solves it.
Focuses on the problems with interviewing and how Topgrading solves it.
September 5, 2023
Game changer for how I approached my job search. Highly recommend, must-read. Or listen on Audible like I did
June 21, 2023
A shortened version of Smart and Mursau’s Topgrading hiring technique. Includes strategies for hiring high performers. However the constant plugs for their previous books were too much.
Thanks to Forbes Books, I received a free Amazon Kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Thanks to Forbes Books, I received a free Amazon Kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews