For all the modern human resources, management and recruitment literature that circulates around and the cosy ideas that employers want to create a work environment based on sharing and caring, there is one harsh reality – they don’t really care about you, your interests, aspirations or what you do outside of work (unless it impacts on them), in particular during the recruitment process.
You see employees are recruiting, because they have a problem to solve, a statutory or policy obligation to fulfil (particularly if government), or they want to make a larger profit. Period. To make a larger profit or to fulfil this statutory obligation, organisations/businesses need help and support (that’s you), from administration officers (task orientated), managers (managing people, resources and projects), through to the CEO, Director or Business Owner (the visionary leader).
Ignoring this fact is a VERY costly mistake for all jobseekers. You see jobseekers, are normally so wrapped up in their own little worlds, that they view the whole recruitment and job search process as about their security, their ambitions, their need to pay the bills, credit card and make money, as well as fulfil their interests, desires and needs.
Open up any number of resumes and sit on job interviews and so often the jobseeker focuses on themselves:
The objective statement – I want a fulfilling career
Interests – I love travelling
The interview – Question: So where do you see yourself in 5 years? Answer: In a really fulfilling job, with lots of challenges.
Don’t get me wrong I support all of these aspirations and desires! I think you have every right to a job that is fulfilling, to take an overseas holiday every year, to get really well paid for what you do, to secure a promotion and pay rise and successfully balance home and work life. In fact this is what I help my clients do everyday, by providing them with winning resumes and selection criteria responses, job interview coaching and job search and career transition support, so they do secure their ideal job and a pay rise. All of these things YOU do deserve and should strive for!
But employers really don’t give one iota about your insecurities; need to pay the bills, the need for job security, your desire for more money and a fulfilling career. They are as selfish, as we all are and are only interested in WIIFM (what’s in it for me?) – namely if you can solve their problem or contribute to the profitability of their organisation.
If you understand this, you can quickly turn your attention to developing a job search strategy and marketing documents that focuses on employer needs.
The Cover Letter Opening: ‘I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with a leading organisation such as BHP Billiton, which will enable me to utilise my skills and experience in managing transformational changes and improving net profits within a large complex organisation’. (The butter up and summary of exactly what the jobseeker offers in the way of solving the employer’s problem).
The Resume and The Job Interview: Provide them with a mirror image of the requirements and skills required by the potential employer and how you have made a difference for others AND how you can make a difference for their organisation/business.
This shift in focus alone will turn you into a ‘must have’ candidate – with employers clamouring to engage your services, as you are focussing on their needs, are the solution to their problems and have the capacity to make them more profit.
That is why if employers don’t really care about you on an individual level during recruitment, (your aspirations, dreams or even just the need for financial security), it does not matter. You are fulfilling your dreams and aspirations and obtaining security, by focussing on what employers need, and ultimately securing that dream job and/or pay rise in the process.
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Carolyn Smith BA, LLB, PLSC, CARW, CEIC, CERW