As distributors continue in their struggle to attract and retain qualified employees, having a well-thought out hiring plan can help avoid some common talent-related pitfalls, says John Salveson of executive search firm Salveson Stetson Group in The Hiring Disconnect in Distribution.

The first step in creating a hiring plan is defining the position and deciding which characteristics a candidate must have and which are preferred, says Salveson. It is also critical for everyone who will interact with the position to agree on those job requirements and preferences, he says.

In addition to assessing skills, an interview should determine how a candidate will fit in with the team and company culture. The most common reason a new hire fails is due to lack of cultural fit rather than mismatched skills or experience, according to Salveson.

Read more about how a strategic hiring approach can prevent employee turnover and other talent issues, in The Hiring Disconnect in Distribution.