Invest in Yourself

I’ve been working on developing some training material for our campus ambassador program. One of the topics that I’m covering is “Communicating our value proposition”, which lead me to do research on employee value propositions.

Examples*:

General Mills: “a great place to start, a great place to stay. . . We are highly committed to an environment that supports the varying needs of all our employees inside and outside of work.”

Accenture: “some of the most creative, forward‐thinking people in the business world … from a wide range of cultural, educational and geographic backgrounds … able to work in a dynamic and professional environment that values each person's perspective

Google: “Into being challenged? Into having fun? Want to change the world? If the answer is yes, then you've come to the right place.”

Companies with successful value propositions are able to source from a much deeper pool of talent. The truth is that the better you brand your message and live the brand the more people want to work for you. And if the brand isn’t built from the inside, few may believe it on the outside.

I believe the same principal applies to candidates. There is buzz going around about branding yourself. There is a lot of merit in the discussion but it is actually very simple. The candidate that is able to present a complete package with a concise message is more likely to get job leads and further in the interview process. What I mean by the complete package is: quantifiable results from work and life experiences + tangible skills+ clear communication (written & verbal). You can have a great resume but if you aren’t able to successfully articulate the experiences on the resume or worse if there really aren’t solid experiences to back up the text on a resume then it’s not going to get you very far.

A job is in an investment. It is all the experiences and tangible skills acquired that piece together to create a career. Even if it’s not your ideal job you should be thinking about what skills you are going to develop in that job to help you obtain your next job. Invest in yourself so that others will invest in you. How are you developing the experiences to create your value proposition?

*Sartain, Libby: Brand for Talent (2009)

The Art of Being Rejected

No one likes to be rejected and I think it is just as difficult to deliver the rejection or declination as it is to receive the message. I think every recruiter dreads telling candidates that they didn’t get the job or are not moving forward but we all have to do it. Granted some of us do it better than others. I’m in the category, “Can Do Better”. Don’t misinterpret that as I don’t give my candidates a status update because anyone can fire off an email. You know the one “Thank you for applying for the position please continue to search other opportunities.” I would like to have those candid conversations with the candidate so that they understand why they weren’t a fit for the position and/or what they can do better in their next interview.

Here are a few things to help make the rejection useful:

• Don’t be afraid to ask for additional feedback. You may not get additional information but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
• Don’t burn any bridges. Being rejected can be painful and can sting but don’t let the emotions surface via email or in conversation with the employer.
• Look for something positive about the experience. You have a new contact at the company or learned a little more about a future career opportunity.
• Don’t give up. Let the rejection help propel you to keep searching and to interview better.

So we all have to realize that we are going to be rejected and it is going to bruise our ego. But the job search process involves putting yourself out there. Likewise, delivering candidate feedback is not very dangerous but it does involve getting out of my comfort zone. So I’ll commit to the uncomfortable task of delivering the rejection but don’t take it personally if I tell you take a hike.

Pick up the phone

So in one day I had two candidates back out of their final interview. They made the decision at the last minute to back out, leaving me feeling like a cheap date that got stood up. Candidate A and B could have picked up the phone and offered an explanation or the courtesy of a timely decision. If you are in the job search process, remember the following when working with a recruiter:

Effective Communication is Key
Communication is an important skill set in business, even with technology the spoken word is still king. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask your questions, gain clarification, or discuss next steps.

Mind Your Manners
Remember that everyone likes to be acknowledged and thanked. Take a moment to say thank you for their time and consideration for the position. A follow up note is another way to make a connection with the recruiter and hiring manager. Common courtesy can go a long way in helping you be considered for future positions.

Be Honest with Yourself
My job as a recruiter is to find the right person for a specific job. I’m going to sell the job and the company to you because I think your experience and qualifications are what I’m looking for. As a candidate you have to be honest with yourself. Is this a position that you are interested in and does it fit with your career plan? If not then politely decline to be considered any further, you will save my time and yourself a headache later.

By the way, I’m over feeling like a cheap date. It doesn’t last very long because I know there are some great people looking for a great opportunity. Happy Hunting!