But, who you choose could make a massive difference to your company, so it's worth getting to grips with the tricks you can use to stack candidates up against each other.
Wrap your head around our handy tips and choose between candidates with a whole lotta confidence:
So, they've both made interview stage and wowed you with their self-promotional patter.
Don't just go with your gut - dig a little deeper into their CV, LinkedIn profile and other professional docs to see how you can differentiate them.
Has one got a flashy qualification that the other can't match? Does one have a stack of direct, or transferable, experience that fits neatly with your business type? Is one more of a personality match for your company culture?
These are the types of questions you should be asking yourself.
Nailing an interview is all well and good. But, how will they handle life on the front line? You're gonna need to test drive their skills to find out.
Think about arranging another round of interviews that'll challenge them using competency-based questions. Use real-life scenarios they'll have to get to grips with if they land the post.
Still can't decide? Well, a practical task or challenge could be the deal-breaker. Set them loose on your systems in a controlled environment - either together or individually - and see how they cope.
They're still running neck-and-neck? Time to whip out that crystal ball!
Think beyond what they can do for you NOW - mull over what they might do in future.
Does one have something about them that'd make them a safe bet for a managerial role further down the line? Experience of training, creating processes and liaising with higher-ups would all give you clues.
Or, has one got a skill set that's gonna be worth its weight in gold in five years' time? Maybe their skills fit with the digital future? Maybe something they've mastered fits with one of your long-term development goals?
If all else fails, it's time to phone a friend (or, in this case, check their references).
There's nothing quite like speaking to an old boss to get the story behind the slick CV and interview technique.
Book in a call with their referees and ask them to give you the low-down on the projects they've been involved with, how well they interact with colleagues/management, and what their strengths and weaknesses are.
If you still can't decide after all this, you've either got yourself some actual doppelgängers, or you can be pretty sure that either would make a great addition to your team!