I have a small piece of advice to offer anyone who is in the job market. Having recruited for companies now for over fifteen years it occurred to me that there was a certain quality that I admired in people that came through my office for a job, and one that made me willing to go to bat for them with my clients. I call it transparency but maybe it is as simple as honesty.
I’ve interviewed people for jobs, who themselves were very skilled and very qualified in terms of the job criteria, who were about as transparent as a brick wall. They had good looking resumes, said all the right words, came across well, but because I couldn’t see into their world and they were blocking me out, I didn’t have confidence in sending them in for an interview with my client.
On the other hand, a guy walks into my office, applies for the position, possibly has lesser qualifications, but he is straight. He says his mind, he’s honest, and from the perspective of the job, he’s transparent. I feel more confident pitching that guy to my client company than the other ones who looked better on paper.
Why? Confidence! As a recruiter I am interested in a lasting relationship with my client, so I want to send him people that will do a good job, who will last. The guy who is rigid, marginalizes his communication to match what he thinks I want to hear, won’t open up and let me know about or look at his or her world, makes me feel unsure about them.
I am not suggesting that one has to be transparent about one’s life, one’s privacy or other issues that are none of the business of any company owner, or recruiter for that matter.
I AM suggesting that possibly, if you want the job, by all means present a good resume and cover letter, but in the interview, say what YOU are interested in and what YOU think. Because in the end, it’s what YOU think that matters. It’s what YOU’RE bringing to the company that counts. They already know what they have they don’t know what you HAVE!
For instance, you may think that the recruiter or potential employer would be upset if you told them that you don’t like to be micro-managed, that you like to operate on your own and with your own initiative without someone breathing down your back. If you feel that way, you BETTER say it, because the wrong time to make a stink about it is later when the boss is breathing down your neck every hour because you’re not making your quota. If it’s important to you I recommend that you say it now. Put your cards on the table and play your hand. You would be surprised to find out that they respect you for your honesty, and you may even be surprised to find out that they agree with you and are looking for people who don’t need to be micro-managed by the hour. You may also find out that he or she goes sour and loses interest in you right there and then. Better to find out now than later. Why crawl in bed with a gator when you don’t have to?
If you object to an environment where staff secretly back-bite one another and where rumor is passed around with irresponsible abandon, then say it in the interview, when it is appropriate to do so of course. These are not negative points if they are important to you. If this recruiter or boss is worth their salt they’ll agree with you, and if they have issue with your forthrightness and honesty then guess what they aren’t worth working for. So cast off for other shores and keep at it until you find a company that meets YOUR expectations too.
It’s a good idea to remember that a job, if not a career, is a two way street. If you’re just looking for any job to make a buck, by all means go flip burgers or whatever comes along. But if you want a job that fits you, that fits your career plans then make sure that during the interview that you are honest and transparent don’t hide yourself behind a mantle or cover that you think makes you look good to them because you might be horribly surprised to find out that you’re working for Atilla the Hun and have to start all over again.
By the way, this advice works reciprocally for employers. If you invite transparency and honesty you’ll get people who will be that way with you.
Real Laplaine