What I Look for When Hiring — Insights from Industry Leaders
Hiring isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about intuition, alignment, and recognising potential. Whether you're applying for a new role or building your own team, understanding what experienced leaders truly value in candidates can make the difference between standing out and blending in.
On the Love Your Career podcast, Lawrence Everest has asked dozens of guests about what they look for when hiring. Their answers go beyond qualifications — they focus on mindset, energy, and how people make others feel.
In this blog, we unpack the top hiring traits these leaders seek, and the kinds of behaviours that really leave a mark.
1. Curiosity Over Credentials
Experience matters, but curiosity is what signals future growth. Many guests shared that they'd rather hire someone eager to learn than someone coasting on past titles. A growth mindset is what turns good hires into great ones.
“We can train skill — we can’t train curiosity. I look for people who ask great questions and want to understand how things work.”
— Julie Allen, Active net
“Curious people energise teams. They explore, challenge, and improve things without being told to.”
— Brad Rushton, SCL Education Group
“I’ve hired people with little direct experience because they showed they were hungry to learn — and they’ve outperformed many with stronger CVs.”
— Catherine Ferma, Gym Group
2. Attitude Is Everything
Skills can be taught. Attitude can’t. Leaders consistently mentioned that a positive, can-do, team-first mindset often trumps specific qualifications — especially in fast-paced or people-led sectors.
“If you’re coachable and have the right attitude, we can go far together. That’s what I’m always scanning for in interviews.”
— Ty Menzies, Lift Brands
“Give me someone who turns up early, asks questions, and helps others — I can build anything with them.”
— Rebecca Passmore, PureGym
“It’s not about bravado. It’s about humility, openness, and effort — that’s who makes a lasting impact.”
— Huw Edwards, ukactive
3. Cultural Fit Over ‘Best CV’
One of the biggest mistakes leaders admitted to? Hiring someone who looked perfect on paper but didn’t align with the team culture. These leaders hire with their eyes on energy, collaboration, and chemistry.
“I ask myself: will this person make the room better when they walk in? If not, it’s a no.”
— Dan Rees, The health and fitness institute
“Great teams aren’t built on talent alone. They’re built on trust, shared goals, and people who lift each other.”
— Carl McCartney, Les Mills
“I’ve passed on highly qualified people because I knew they wouldn’t thrive here — and we wouldn’t thrive with them.”
— Chloe Kinch, Proinsight
4. Evidence of Impact
Saying you’re passionate is one thing — showing how you’ve made a difference is another. Many leaders spoke about how real-world stories of contribution make an application stand out.
“Talk me through the impact you made, not just the tasks you did. I want to know what changed because you were there.”
— David Monkhouse, Consultant
“If you can tell me a story about a problem you solved or a team you helped, I’m listening.”
— Neil Randall, Urban Gym Group
“I’m always drawn to people who’ve improved something — a process, a team, a client experience — even if they weren’t asked to.”
— Sophie Lawler, Total Fitness
5. People Who Lift the Room
Beyond the technical and cultural fit, there’s something more intangible: energy. Many guests said they look for people who leave others feeling energised, heard, and supported — because those people create high-performing teams.
“It’s not just about who you are on your best day — it’s about who you help others become.”
— Andy King, Consultant
“I always ask myself: if I put this person into a team, will they make everyone around them better?”
— Sarah Watts, Alliance Leisure
“People remember how you made them feel — that’s the legacy of a great hire.”
— Kevin Yates, Lift Brands
Final Thoughts
The best hires don’t just tick boxes — they shift energy, uplift teams, and grow beyond their role. If you're on the job hunt, remember: how you show up matters just as much as what’s on your CV.
Hiring isn’t just about what you’ve done. It’s about who you are — and how you make others feel while you’re doing it.
🎧 Hear more from these leaders and others on the Love Your Career podcast or visit loverecruitmentgroup.com.
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