Mao Socheat – How to Select a Right Candidate Fit to Your Company’s Culture

Selecting the right candidate goes beyond evaluating technical skills—it is about finding someone who aligns with the company’s culture and values. During interviews, I focus on three key areas: mindset and accountability, character and values, and curiosity and growth potential.

I encourage candidates to share real-life examples of how they have solved problems, handled challenges, or taken initiative, as these experiences reveal their accountability, resilience, and willingness to learn. I also pay close attention to their character, including their humility, integrity, communication style, and how they speak about previous employers, as these qualities often reflect their professionalism and core values.

Finally, I look for candidates who demonstrate curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, and show a genuine desire to learn and adapt. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, the ability to grow and embrace change is often more valuable than existing knowledge alone. For SME business owners, I strongly believe in one guiding principle: “Hire for character first, then develop skills through training.