9 out of 10 monkeys believe they are not behind glass

In recent months, I have learned a very important lesson when it comes to staffing and hiring people.

1. Do not take personnel recommendations from people you know seriously. A grain of salt is required. A half-ton grain.

and…

2. First impressions really can pan out to be correct. Even if you know better, fight your own personal bias, and give every benefit of the doubt to an individual, some people really meet the expectations of the first impression. Which sucks. Because it makes you feel like a total ass and you can hear that little devil voice dancing gayly in your the back of your mind, shouting “Told you so! Told you so!”

Because of the fact that I did not know these two finer aspects of hiring, I am now faced with a very hard, very difficult decision.

A decision that will either screw me or screw me. Sooooooo either way, I’m screwed.

I hate the whole personnel side of management. I really enjoy the leadership aspect, but I hate dealing with the stupid HR stuff.

Gay. No. Not just gay. But ghey. Uber-ghey.

So you heard it here. Don’t take recommendations from friends without a modicum of analysis and patience, and let your first impression guide your decision, regardless of the shallowness feeling it gives you.

Seriously.