It May Be Time to Walk in an Employer's Shoes

If you are in a job search and aren't receivinginformation. But it is worth repeating because
viable hits, it's time to walk a mile in an employer'schances are that you have gone on interview
shoes. Okay, I realize what you may be thinking.after interview without conducting research. Do
For just one day, you would like an employer toyour homework on the hiring organization and on
walk in your shoes so they can be sympatheticindustry trends. This is the number one way to
to the stresses you are going through on a dailyuncover a hiring organization's concerns.
basis. That makes sense, since what most of us- Don't underestimate the power of your resume.
want is to be understood by others.Your resume can address employers' hidden
However, when I suggest you take the time toconcerns with ease, by speaking to your ability to
put yourself in the position of an employer, thatdeliver results, work in a team environment, and
isn't meant to minimize the realities andlead others to achieve organizational goals. The
responsibilities of your world. Your responsibilitiesresume you submit to employers is one of the
sit across from you at the dinner table everymost powerful tools you have full control over.
night and they miraculously appear in your mailboxCreate the best presentation you can.
every month.- Be positive. Negativity is a deal killer. Let go of all
On the other hand, just as you would like to bethat has gone wrong in your job search. Attend
understood, so do employers. And though youeach interview feeling confident about your
don't have control over an interviewer, you havequalifications and what you can bring to the table.
full control over what you decide to do duringWays to Alleviate a Hiring Manager's Concern
your job search.DURING the Interview
A bad hire costs a company a lot of money, and- Meet concerns head on. Find out exactly what
they have their own concerns. A fundamentalan employer is looking for by simply asking one
way to get ahead in the job search is toquestion during the interview. "Thinking back to
understand an employer's perspective becausethe last person who held this position, what were
their point of view is their truth, and their truthhis or her strengths, and what areas needed
dictates how they will react. It will serve you wellimprovement?" Then listen to what the
to understand what a bad hire costs a company.interviewer says and connect your responses to
Three Biggest Concerns of the Hiring Managerthe employer's needs.
1. We all have been there, working in a- Don't act like a politician. One of the major
department where there is an unproductivecomplaints we have when it comes to politicians is
employee who insists on making waves; someonethat they never answer the question posed by
who has their own agenda and refuses to play bythe reporter, but rather they provide an answer
the rules. Perhaps you are searching for a jobthat makes the point they want to bring forward.
right now because of unbearable circumstances inAnd this exact quality is what most job seekers
your workplace. This is precisely what hiringdo in an interview. Take the time to answer the
managers are afraid of: losing good workersquestions the interviewer poses. If you aren't
because of the actions of a bad employee. Thatforthcoming, the interviewer is likely to conclude
cost is immeasurable.you are attempting to hide something.
2. A hiring manager puts his or her reputation on- Demonstrate interest. If you want to continue
the line when choosing to endorse a candidate.participating in the interview process, ask the
And that is exactly what a hiring manager is doinginterviewer the following: "Ms. Rodriguez, I am
when submitting a name for consideration. If theysincerely interested in the position and would like
make a bad hiring decision, their ability to maketo participate in the next round of interviews.
sound decisions is questioned.What is the next step?"
3. An employee is a representative of a companyWays to Alleviate a Hiring Manager's Concern
and a bad hire can have an adverse effect onAFTER the Interview
relationships with vendors and/or customers.- Send a thank-you note. Send a thank-you note
Employers fear the loss of valuable relationshipsto every person with whom you interviewed and
that can result from the actions of an employee.reconfirm your interest in working for the
Therefore, employers want to scrutinize thecompany. If there was a topic of concern that
personality of candidates before an offer isyou feel needs further discussion, briefly tackle
extended.the topic in your missive.
Ways to Alleviate a Hiring Manager's Concern- Follow up with a phone call. During the interview,
BEFORE the Interviewask the interviewer if you can follow up in two
- Research the hiring organization. I know. I know.weeks. Then make sure you do!
You have read this before. This isn't new