What Makes a Candidate ‘Good on Paper’ but Wrong in Reality?

You know the drill: the resume looks perfect, the qualifications check out, and the references sound glowing. But two weeks in, something's off. Deadlines slip. Energy is low. Your team starts avoiding catch-ups with the new hire.

That’s the danger of hiring someone who looks “good on paper.”

At Mornington Screening Service, we look beyond the CV to understand the complete picture of a candidate, and whether they’re truly right for your workplace.

The Resume Isn’t Enough

Resumes are just marketing documents. They can show:

• Education

• Skills

• Roles held

• Years of experience

But they can’t show:

• Communication style

• Self-awareness

• Adaptability

• Attitude

• Cultural fit

And those are often what makes or breaks a hire.

Where MSS Digs Deeper

Our screening process includes:

• Behavioural and situational interview questions

• Alignment with team dynamics and role purpose

• Assessment of emotional intelligence and self-reflection

• Reference checks that ask the right questions, not just the easy ones

We’re not just matching resumes to roles. We’re matching people to purpose.

A Real-World Example

One client hired a sales manager who had 10 years of industry experience and glowing reviews. But within weeks, their team reported poor collaboration and micro-managing. MSS was brought in to help rehire—and this time, we screened for collaboration values, adaptability, and leadership style.

The result? A better cultural match, a happier team, and faster ramp-up.

Want help screening beyond the surface? Talk to us about your next hire →