I hired a ‘combative, controlling and extremely self-centered’ assistant. How do I deal with her — and avoid nightmare hires like this in the future?

Advanced ➔ Results Dollar SignsI hired a ‘combative, controlling and extremely self-centered’ assistant

How do I deal with her — and avoid nightmare hires this in the future. ‘The part that really gets under my skin is her intense staring

ETResizeListen(10 min)While it is impossible to fully understand a person’s quirks during the span of an interview, you can employ some incisive strategies during the hiring cess to reveal a bit more their character

Photo: MarketWatch photo illustration/iStockphotoDear Dollar Signs,I desperately need some advice

Last year, I hired a new administrative assistant

Let’s call her Ramona

Everyone on our team interviewed her, including two (very tough. ) members of our executive team

She made a strong first impression: articulate, eager and maybe a little down on her luck — which, at the time, I saw as a reason to root for her, not write her off

We unanimously agreed she was a great fit

Fast forward, and she’s now the source of nearly every point of tension on our team

She’s inconsistent, combative, controlling and extremely self-centered

Even situations that have nothing to do with her somehow become emotionally charged in her presence

One colleague, who barely interacts with her, filed a formal-ish complaint simply because of how unsettled Ramona makes her feel

There are also some strange personal stories she s that leave everyone blinking in disbelief

The Author Aditi ShrikantAditi Shrikant is an advice columnist and personal finance reporter

Previously, she was a lead reporter at CNBC Make It covering relationships and psychology

Before that, she reported on consumer spending and transportation at Vox

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