7 Best-Selling Hiring Books Millions Love
Recommended by Alexis Ohanian, Alexis Ohanian Sr., and Matteo Franceschetti—trusted voices in Hiring Books with proven success



There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially in the world of Hiring. Hiring remains one of the most crucial yet complex challenges organizations face today, with proven strategies in high demand. These seven best-selling Hiring books have stood the test of time, offering frameworks and insights that many leaders have relied on to build strong, effective teams.
Among the experts championing these works are Alexis Ohanian Sr., co-founder of Reddit and seasoned venture capitalist, who praises "Who" for its scalable hiring methods. Matteo Franceschetti, CEO of Eight Sleep, credits the same book for shaping his approach to repeatable hiring success. Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, also co-founder of Reddit and Initialized Capital partner, supports these books for their practical value in hiring.
While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Hiring needs might consider creating a personalized Hiring book that combines these validated approaches, offering a unique blend of expert knowledge and individual focus.
Recommended by Alexis Ohanian Sr.
Co-Founder of Reddit, Venture Capitalist
“Great book!” (from X)
What happens when decades of experience in management assessment meet the challenge of hiring? Geoff Smart, CEO of ghSMART, and Randy Street have created a method based on extensive research, including over 1,300 hours of interviews with billionaires and CEOs. You learn to sidestep typical hiring pitfalls by defining clear outcomes, sourcing top-tier candidates, and conducting interviews that truly distinguish A Players from others. Whether you're leading a Fortune 500 company or filling a critical role in a small business, this book provides a structured approach to make hiring decisions that directly impact your organization's success.
by Pierre Mornell, Regan Dunnick·You?
by Pierre Mornell, Regan Dunnick·You?
Unlike most hiring books that focus on traditional interview tactics, Pierre Mornell and Regan Dunnick present 45 straightforward strategies centered on "people reading"—observing candidates' behaviors to forecast their workplace fit and potential. Drawing on Mornell’s extensive experience in human resource development, the book teaches you how to identify winners and losers before costly hiring mistakes occur. You'll find practical techniques scattered throughout, such as how to interpret subtle cues and assess personality traits that reveal long-term performance. If you're responsible for hiring and want to sharpen your ability to predict candidate success beyond resumes and rehearsed answers, this book offers clear, tested methods to improve your decisions.
by TailoredRead AI·
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored book explores battle-tested hiring methods designed to match your unique challenges and goals. It covers essential topics such as candidate evaluation, interview techniques, and retention, all tailored to your background and interests. By focusing on proven knowledge that millions find valuable, it reveals how to build smarter hiring processes suited specifically to your organization’s needs. The personalized content ensures you engage deeply with hiring practices most relevant to your situation, fostering a practical and insightful learning experience. This tailored approach helps you unlock smarter hiring decisions by concentrating on what truly matters to your recruitment success.
by Eric Herrenkohl·You?
Unlike most hiring books that focus solely on recruiting tactics, Eric Herrenkohl’s approach leverages existing marketing and networking efforts to identify top talent, making it especially useful for smaller businesses without dedicated recruiting teams. You’ll learn where to find A-player candidates and how to ask the right questions to ensure quality hires that drive growth. Herrenkohl supports his guidance with current examples from industries ranging from finance to retail, providing actionable insights grounded in real company practices. This book benefits business owners, executives, and HR professionals aiming to elevate their teams without expanding their recruiting departments.
The counterintuitive approach that changed Dan Erling's perspective on recruitment drives this book. Drawing from his extensive experience advising over a thousand companies, Erling lays out a step-by-step hiring process that challenges the acceptance of mediocre results as normal. You’ll learn how to craft precise job descriptions, conduct structured interviews, and navigate salary negotiations—all underscored by practical tools and real-life stories. This methodical framework benefits hiring managers and HR professionals seeking consistency and clarity in selecting candidates who truly fit their organization’s mission.
by Alison E. Barber·You?
by Alison E. Barber·You?
Alison E. Barber challenges the conventional wisdom that recruitment is a simple, linear process by breaking it down into three distinct stages: generating applicants, maintaining their status, and influencing job choice. Drawing from organizational science, she explores how each stage affects not only candidate experience but also broader organizational outcomes, offering nuanced insights rather than generic hiring tips. You’ll gain an understanding of recruitment source effects, reactions to interviews, and alternative research frameworks that question traditional assumptions. This book suits HR professionals, organizational leaders, and scholars seeking a deeper, evidence-based perspective on how recruitment shapes both individuals and companies.
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored book explores practical techniques to accelerate your hiring process within 30 days, focusing on actions that directly address your unique recruitment goals. It covers essential topics from crafting effective job descriptions to efficiently screening candidates, all tailored to your background and current hiring challenges. By concentrating on what matters most to you, this book enables a focused learning journey that draws on widely recognized hiring knowledge while adapting to your specific needs. The personalized content reveals how to streamline recruitment steps and make confident decisions quickly, ensuring you build the right team for your organization. This targeted approach helps you grasp critical hiring concepts without overwhelming you with irrelevant information.
by Harvard Business Review·You?
by Harvard Business Review·You?
After analyzing numerous organizational case studies, Harvard Business Review developed this guide to address the persistent challenges in attracting and retaining top talent. You’ll find clear insights into recruiting strategies, building a culture that supports employee engagement, and practical methods to reduce turnover, including how to prevent burnout. The book’s chapters provide managers and HR professionals with tools to evaluate and improve their hiring processes and retention plans effectively. Whether you're leading a small team or managing a large workforce, the book offers grounded approaches to enhance your organization’s talent management.
by Lauren A. Vicker, Harriette J. Royer·You?
by Lauren A. Vicker, Harriette J. Royer·You?
Lauren A. Vicker and Harriette J. Royer offer a pragmatic guide that challenges the assumption that academic hiring is intuitive based solely on personal experience. Their manual breaks down the entire search process into a clear, ten-step approach, emphasizing alignment with institutional goals and inclusion. You’ll learn how to structure committees effectively, draft precise position descriptions, and navigate candidate evaluation with an eye toward diversity and legal considerations. The book particularly benefits faculty and administrators newly tasked with search responsibilities, providing tools like sample forms and checklists that make complex processes manageable and transparent.
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Conclusion
These seven books collectively highlight key themes: clear, repeatable hiring processes; the importance of behavioral insights; and the need to balance recruitment with retention and culture. If you prefer proven methods grounded in research and practical experience, start with "Who" and "Match" for structured hiring frameworks. For those focused on employee retention and culture, "Hiring and Keeping the Best People" offers valuable strategies.
For recruiters and HR professionals interested in research-driven recruitment science, "Recruiting Employees" provides depth and nuance, while academic leaders will find tailored guidance in "The Complete Academic Search Manual." Small business owners looking for approachable, actionable advice should explore "How to Hire A-Players."
Alternatively, you can create a personalized Hiring book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed, offering you a roadmap to better hiring decisions today.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with "Who," highly recommended by Alexis Ohanian Sr. and Matteo Franceschetti for its clear, scalable hiring process. It lays a solid foundation before exploring more specialized topics like retention or academic hiring.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Hiring?
Not at all. Books like "How to Hire A-Players" offer practical advice suited for business owners without recruiting teams. Others, such as "Match," guide you step-by-step through structured hiring methods.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with broad frameworks like "Who" and "Match," then branch into specific areas such as behavioral insights with "45 Effective Ways for Hiring Smart!" and retention strategies with "Hiring and Keeping the Best People."
Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?
You can pick based on your needs. For example, if retention is your focus, prioritize "Hiring and Keeping the Best People." Each book offers distinct value; reading more broadens your perspective.
Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?
"45 Effective Ways for Hiring Smart!" provides straightforward, practical strategies to predict candidate success, making it ideal for immediate application in interviews and evaluations.
Can personalized Hiring books complement these popular titles?
Yes! While these expert books provide proven methods, personalized Hiring books tailor insights to your situation, combining popular strategies with your specific goals. Learn more here.
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