Philosophy
Hire for attitude. Train for skills.
Why is one person hired, instead of another? How are job candidates interviewed? How is talent evaluated? These are probably some of the questions you are asking yourself right now.
Drawing from my own experiences as a manager and career coach, reading, and talking with hiring managers, I've come to understand that managers at all levels are looking for candidates that are a good fit for the job and, even more importantly, for the company.
Although fit can seem subjective, it’s linked to an organization's culture—the values, beliefs and behaviors of its individuals and groups. Simply put: It's how things get done in the organization. Being able to demonstrate that you are a good fit is the key to a successful job search and getting hired.
Fit is affected by two things: personal factors and cultural factors. Personal factors include having the skills to perform a job combined with the drive to use those skills effectively. Cultural factors include the candidate’s qualities or character, and how they fit with the manager and the organization.
New professionals entering the job market anticipate that employers are looking for a specific set of skills to match those necessary to perform a particular job. So, new professionals tell me that they are focused on showing that they have the required skills. But, as one recent college graduate said, "How in the world does one apply for a job when all the jobs ask for experience? Do no companies invest in training anymore?" They do, because companies actually don't expect first-time job-seekers to have skill competency.
First-time job seekers are not hired for their skills. They are hired for their attitude and trained for skills.
So let's end the frustration and shift the focus. How you present your strengths, behavior and qualities—first on paper (your resumé) and then in interviews—is how you let employers see who you really are and how you fit.
Put the focus on your value: what you are good at and what you love to do; what makes you unique; the qualities you posses; and how you want to be perceived to meet the needs and wants of the employers you want to connect with. Doing this, you will be able to craft a compelling statement about yourself, write an experience-based and personality filled resumé, and communicate with confidence in the job interview. You will engage the interviewer in a dialogue and let who you are shine through.
Don’t give up. Don’t take it personally. Be persistent and be a master of the new rules of job searching.
