A Guest Post by CareerAlley
From time to time, we’re publishing guest posts via Recruiting Blogswap.
“Man is flying too fast for a world that is round. Soon he will catch up with himself in a great rear end collision.” - James Thurber
I remember the original Gulliver’s Travels movie (The Three Worlds of Gulliver) where (as you may have guessed from the title) there were three worlds, one where he was a giant, one where he was a “little person” and one where he was “normal.” The original movie was based on a book written in 1726, and even back then they understood that the world looks different depending on your vantage point.
Now I’m sure you know where this is headed. Job search is much the same. There are a few vantage points and depending on where you are sitting, the world looks very different.
The Three Worlds of Job Search:
- Candidate — So as the candidate, you want the best job, for the most compensation. If you’ve had any job leads, you will know that there is (generally) no “perfect” fit. You will most likely fit many of the requirements (but not all) and the job opportunity might be close to what you want (but not a perfect match). If you’ve been looking for a job over an extended period of time, your requirements for a “perfect” fit begin to broaden a bit. If you are anything like most of us, you will defend your qualifications as a perfect fit for any job that is close.
- Hiring Manager — Now the hiring manager wants to hire the most qualified person for the job for the lowest “fair” salary. While they understand that there is probably no “perfect” candidate, they will look to find the best match and are probably (but not always) as stressed to fill the job as many candidates are to get a job. So your “close” match may not interest the hiring manager (even though you think the match is close enough).
- Recruiter — The recruiter’s view sits somewhere between the candidate and the hiring manager. Their goal is to fill the job with the best candidate, but they understand the sometimes contradicting views of their candidates and the hiring manager. They will try to present the best candidates, but will work with the candidates where the fit may not be “perfect”. A delicate balance for sure.
Tools for Navigating the Three Worlds of Job Search:
- Job Search Techniques and Preparation - Finding a Job Using Effective Strategies and Techniques — This article, posted on suite101.com provides information on some of the basic (but oh so important) tools you will need to prepare and become the “perfect” candidate. The article provides information on job-search techniques as well as resume and cover-letter preparation. There are also embedded links with related information.
- Favorite Candidate Interview Preparation — Part 1 — This article is from a hiring manager’s perspective and you are probably wondering why I would post this. But, as Sun Tzu would say — “In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory.”. The best preparation is knowing the tactics and questions you can expect as a candidate. The best way to do that is to understand the hiring manager’s preparation as well. This article, posted on manager-tools.com, provides a view from the other side. Take a look at some of the related information on this site as well.
- How to Work With a Recruiter — You will most likely work with recruiters in your job search, and understanding how to do that will help you achieve your goals with less frustration. This article provides a good overview of the recruiter relationship and will help you manage your expectations. There are embedded links for related articles as well as links at the top of the page for additional job search tips and resources.
Good luck in your search.
Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.
