Good Manners Are a Good Career Move
I recently interviewed a candidate who's stellar in every way, except one. She never once said please or thank you when she came in to interview for the position. She took the time to write a letter perfect - pardon the pun - thank you note afterward, but when she came for the interview, she didn't say please when she requested something to drink or thank you when she received it. When I gave her a brief tour of the department, she never thanked me when I held a door open for her. So, I'm wondering if I should hire her and give her a crash course on our company culture or if I should go with someone who's less talented but already has the good manners that are exhibited by the rest of my team. Is it wrong that I'm more concerned with how the rest of the team will receive her than I am with how well she'll be able to perform her job?
Great scenario, but you actually answered the question. If the candidate is stellar and qualified for the job, she should be hired. Maybe her nerves were getting the best of her (or she simply was focusing on putting one foot in front of the other) and it didn't occur to her to engage in the niceties. Let's be real, most people say please and thank you because it's expected, more than anything else.
Once she's on board, peer pressure will take care of the "pleases" and "thank yous." If you think there is an attitude problem, bring her back in for some peer interviews. That could be more telling than anything!
What's going to be easier for you: training someone who is "less talented" how to do an examplary job, or telling someone "who's stellar in every way, except one" that the company culture (or your personal preference, not sure which is being emphasized here) requires certain "good manners." Then to briefly outline what these are.
Maybe the young lady in question was very nervous and forgot her usual good manners on this occasion? Wouldn't you consider it worthwhile as a leader/mentor to iron this aspect out rather than pass up on the chance of hiring a really good candidate?
You received a thank you note which, in this day and age, says a lot. I would suggest this issue warrants a quick phone call at the very least to point out what you consider to be a 'deficiency' in the candidate's manners during the interview and tour. You'll get a better idea of whether she's a good fit for your team from her reaction to that conversation.
The good news is that you found a strong candidate for an open position. This is fantastic and speaks to good screening of potential employees.
Not demonstrating good manners can be coached. However, in advance of hiring the person, you can speak to her again about the issue and expectations. This additional touch will help determine if she is in fact the right candidate for your organization.
Success in the work environment is a combination of technical skills and cultural fit. Without both, it is more difficult to truly have the right "fit".
CoachDwain
I'd pay attention to your "gut" on this one. Many hiring managers and HR professionals have come to recognize the value of "hiring for fit" - in short, culture matters. Job skills can be trained - personality, not so much.