* Eugene Salamin via math-fun <math-fun@mailman.xmission.com> [Jun 18. 2014 13:57]:
You never really have the "best", unless there are few candidates and one of them stands out. There are performance probability distributions. It would be tremendously helpful is someone with actual experience in hiring decisions could chime in with a real-world solution, rather than depending on mathematical theory of dubious value.
All I can say is that the models we have discussed here are next to useless in practice. There are situations where you'll hire the first person that is capable of doing the job (vacancy needs urgently be filled). On the other side you may spend well over a year (and serious cash) until you decide (lifetime position as a professor, will be your colleague indefinitely). Yet another aspect left out: person may decline job offer. This tends to be more likely with good people. And there is the sympathy/chemistry factor that is very often underestimated by both parties. Best, jj
 -- Gene
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