HirexFire: Underestimating Your Job Search
H I R E ╳ F I R E
You can learn a lot by witnessing what NOT to do in interviews and throughout the recruiting process at large. We’ve pulled together a few cringe-worthy scenes with life advice to interview and be interviewed better than some of Hollywood’s best.
A Lesson From The Office on
Underestimating Your Job Search
"I AM READY TO FACE ANY CHALLENGES FOOLISH ENOUGH TO FACE ME."
The current social and economic crisis has prompted hardship across most industries, severely impacting major business operations. As a result, many people find themselves unexpectedly seeking employment.
For many candidates, a new job can be a blessing in disguise. You may find yourself in a better position than before! Yet, the job search process can be long and frustrating. And as a candidate, we often underestimate the amount of time, energy, and patience required to see sustained progress towards the goal.
TO THE EMPLOYER:
There's a lot of water cooler talk about ,“how you behave in this environment will define your brand for years to come”. The same can be said for candidates and your employer brand, because stress levels are HIGH for employers, employees, and candidates alike.
Be conscious that many of the individuals you're interviewing have experienced an involuntarily and unexpected change in their life. And in some cases, the candidate may not have participated in an interview in many years.
Regardless of the application outcome, YOU - as interviewers, hiring managers or recruiters - can make a hugely positive impact on the candidate experience by showing empathy regarding their situation. For example, if you choose not to move forward with a candidate, you can give genuine, tangible feedback to the individual about why. This simple follow-up action can do wonders for your brand and reputation in 2020.
TO THE CANDIDATE:
It’s inevitable, and it’s so frustrating. But, the job search always takes way longer than you hope! This time, prepare for the long haul from the start. Think of it as a long-term project. You have to respect the process and most importantly, make sure you're prepared every step of the way.
For example, you can save yourself a lot of wasted time downstream by being thoughtful and targeted in your search efforts upfront. "Emotional job searching" usually means spamming resumes to every role in a 50 mile radius that looks like it COULD fit. This approach is rarely results in a job offer. Instead, spend time thinking about what you want out of your next role and what is truly important for you to find. Then skip applications to any organizations or roles that don't fit your preference. You may not have all the answers right away. That's okay. Just know when to respectfully bow out of a process once you know it doesn't work for you.
HXH BOTTOMLINE:
Searching for a Job/Employee is a Long & Frustrating Process
While this is true every day but especially in recent times, perspective is important.
Suppose you're a candidate on the market. In that case, our strongest piece of advice is to be introspective (and realistic) on the front end of your search to understand better how you're going to evaluate opportunities and position yourself for success by asking for feedback and guidance before you start interviewing. If you want until after you start, you may be too late, and you may have missed out on a job you could have otherwise won.
If you're an employer fortunate to be hiring right now, just because you suddenly have a larger pool of candidates doesn't mean you should compromise on the candidate experience - in fact, you should double down on making sure everyone has a positive experience regardless of the outcome. You'll be surprised by the impact you can have on your brand and reputation in the market, and you'll reap the rewards again in a more competitive labor market.
