Hiring a great employee is about more than just ticking boxes on a resume. The real game-changer is identifying high performers before they even join your team. Spotting them isn’t always obvious, but there are clear signs that separate the best from the rest.

Look for Impact, Not Just Experience

A strong resume is a good start, but it’s not enough. Plenty of candidates can list impressive job titles and responsibilities, but a true high performer can demonstrate impact. When reviewing applications, look for measurable results. Did they grow sales by a specific percentage? Save time or money for their last employer? Launch a project that had a tangible impact? A rockstar employee won’t struggle to provide these details when asked. In an interview, don’t just ask what they did—ask what changed because of their work.

Test Their Problem-Solving Skills

The best employees don’t just follow instructions—they think critically, adapt, and improve processes. A great way to test this is by giving a candidate a real-world challenge. Ask a salesperson how they’d handle a hesitant client who prefers a competitor. Give a technician a flawed project outline and see how they’d improve it.

Watch how they approach the problem. Do they ask smart follow-up questions? Do they have a structured way of thinking through the issue? Do they focus only on generic best practices, or do they apply their thinking to the specific scenario? Their response will tell you whether they’re a doer or just good at talking.

Assess Their Communication Style

Even in highly technical roles, rockstar employees know how to explain their ideas clearly and adjust their style depending on the audience. One of the simplest ways to test this is by asking a candidate to explain a complex topic in simple terms. A great hire will be able to break things down without losing clarity.

Pay attention to how they communicate in the hiring process. Are their emails clear and professional? Do they get to the point in conversation? Can they explain their past work in a way that makes sense? Strong communicators make teams run more smoothly and help avoid misunderstandings down the track.

Watch for Red Flags

Just as there are signs of a high performer, there are also warning signs that a candidate isn’t the right fit. Be cautious if they blame past employers for everything that went wrong in their career or struggle to give clear examples of their achievements. A lack of curiosity about the role or company is another bad sign—rockstar employees ask good questions because they want to do great work.

Confidence is important, but if a candidate sounds polished yet avoids specifics, it could mean they’re good at selling themselves but weak on actual ability. If they get defensive when given feedback or pushback, they might struggle in a collaborative environment. These subtle clues can save you from a hiring mistake.

Prioritise Attitude Over Perfection

Skills can be taught, but attitude, adaptability, and work ethic are harder to change. If you’re stuck choosing between someone with slightly less experience but a great mindset versus someone highly skilled but with a poor attitude, go with the first one.

A great way to test this is by asking about a time they failed and how they handled it. The best candidates will own their mistakes, explain what they learned, and show how they improved. You can also see how they respond to light constructive feedback in the interview—do they adjust and engage, or do they get defensive?

Check for Culture Fit—Without the Buzzwords

Hiring for culture fit doesn’t mean hiring people you’d have a beer with. It means hiring people who align with your company’s values and way of working. Instead of asking generic questions like, “Would you say you’re a team player?”, test their actual behaviour.

If teamwork is key in your business, ask them to describe a time they had to collaborate with someone difficult. If adaptability is crucial, get them to talk about how they’ve handled major changes in past roles. Rockstar employees will have real, concrete examples that show they thrive in the kind of environment you run.

So, Look Out for Your Rockstars

Rockstar employees aren’t just technically skilled—they’re proactive, adaptable, and make a real impact. To spot them before you hire, focus on results over job titles, test how they think and communicate, and watch for subtle warning signs. The best candidates will stand out not because they say the right things, but because they prove it with their track record and mindset.

By refining how you evaluate candidates, you won’t just fill positions—you’ll build a team of high performers who drive your business forward.