4 Minutes

Dynamic, collaborative relationships are desired.  Most companies that I get to work with are often eager to find professionals who understand how to make an impact with the skill set they have while being respectful of the authorities in place already.  Smart employers often seek to find these exceptional people with vigor.

So, where are these people?  Do they exist?  After speaking with some of the ones we get to work with at Humareso, I would say 9 out of 10 have become discouraged about the talent pool.  Whether it’s a non-committal attitude, a desire for a list of all benefits offered by the company prior to the first interview or an awareness that the depth of work ethic displayed falls short of what’s actually needed in the workplace, these employers have dejection written on their metaphorical faces.

People, let’s display what should be displayed, not just as an appearance, but as a true picture of the qualities we possess.  Do I think that all candidates fall into the descriptors above?  No.  However, do I think that these employers are wrong?  No.  They are responding to what they see.  And remember, what they "see" is not always viewable.

I sometimes wish that everyone’s skill sets could be viewed, such as what a model has to do for his/her interviews.  Show me what you can do.  You can sit all day and tell me how great you are, but it’s better when I see you get up and walk the catwalk.  The tangibles are visible.  How do you move?  What does your face do when you walk?  Do you capture the look we want?  It takes about 4 minutes to know.  So, theoretically, can you show what you must in 4 minutes?

Most potential employers conducting interviews say they can tell within a few minutes if you have what it takes.  So, if the interview is a half an hour or longer, what is happening in the interviewer's mind?  You’ve got to make a quick, competent impression as an applicant.  The shortfall here is part of the reason that these potential employers feel that there is a lack in the talent pool.  They struggle to know what you know because it’s not presented in a coherent way.  If you have four minutes, what do you want to share?  Practice.

OK, naysayers, I hear you.  “Yeah, but John, when I walk into an interview, I don’t get to dictate the questions.”  After years of witnessing interviews, I would have to say that more than half of those times begin with a potential employer asking one of the following questions to start out:

• Can you tell me a little about yourself?
• Why are you leaving your current employer?/Why did you leave your last employer?
• Why did you decide to apply for this position?
• Why should we hire you?

Think about what you can do with the answer to any one of these questions.  Can you give them a great snapshot of your competencies, personality and work ethic in four minutes by answering one of these first questions?  Heck, yeah (Sorry, I will tone down the language moving forward).  Practice what that response is.  Look in the mirror and work it out.

However, I have to address those who do practice the answer.  Can you act like you believe what you’re saying?  The words are not the only important part, but the facial expressions, body language, inflection and lilt in your voice, etc., too.  Robots are not attractive and will not communicate who you really are (unless you really are a robot, and in that case, please be sure to check “other” in the Self-Identification section of the application).  Being believable is done when you are believable.  Crazy, right?

Authenticity begins with a belief in who you are and a confidence in it.  You might not be a fit for every company, but you are a fit for a company.  Your disillusionment with the process of finding a job can be seen clearly in the first four minutes, even if you’ve practiced your answer.  The spark in your eyes is dim, the life in your voice is weak and the enthused body language is replaced by a slouch.  Be prepared, yes, but be engaged, too.

I do believe that the talent pool needs to get stronger in certain skill sets (technology, written communication and mathematics) and in presenting those aptitudes.  I believe it takes work to get the job you want to get.  I don’t believe that you should just hope it works out.  Rather, work it out.  Do what you have to do to be enthusiastically ready for an interview.  Share with those potential employers why it would be great to have you as an employee based upon a clear and vibrant expression of your competencies.  Believe in who you are.  You’ve only got four minutes.  

Big Time

"I'm on my way; I'm making it."  When I finally got a job that paid me enough which allowed me to move out of my grandparents' house and be on my own, it was awesome.  I was stoked.  Honestly, I remember cooking my first meal in my new apartment - pork chops, roasted peppers and tomatoes, brown rice.  I took a picture of the plate as I presented it to myself.  So silly, but it meant so much to me to fend for myself.  I thought I was so "big time." I was on my way; I was making it.

I often think about this time in my early 20's when I am recruiting.  So many energetic, excited newly graduated to mid-20's candidates applying for an entry level position are dreaming of how much of a difference this position will make for their futures.  My heart is so excited for them.  They're vim and vigor is palatable, so much so that when someone in that bracket walks in without that vibe, it is noticeable and an absolute put-off.

What I also appreciate is that same energetic air from the candidates in their 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's.  They share the work experiences they've had and the difference it's made in their goals.  I listen to accounts of successes and failures, lessons learned and those yet to come.  I am energized by their passion for the next chapter of professional development.  But again, if someone walks in without that confident approach, it's obvious.  Age isn't the issue; it's attitude.  I think of Mary Tyler Moore throwing her beret in the air in Minneapolis knowing that she's gonna make it after all.  The attack of life is invigorating to those around.  Without being trite, it's a beginning, not an ending.

However, in a time where the recession has eliminated positions, zapped retirement plans and sent many to the unemployment line, it would be easy to have a somber and melancholy attitude settle in.  I have witnessed tears and heartbreak by those who've been committed to a company for 25 years only to watch the doors close and the pension along with it.  So now, a 58 year-old person is vying for the same job as a 23-year old recent graduate.  

Let's role play for a moment or two.  Be both in your mind for a moment.

You're 58 and you know that you probably won't be making what your last job paid you.  You're afraid you don't have the current skills needed to be seen as viable enough for the role.  You see iPads and SmartPhones as the tipping point to your qualification rather than the 25 years of experience you possess.  You see your competition and you're disheartened that you're sitting in this waiting room.  

You're 23 and you know that you need a job.  Mom and Dad have told you that the support lines are done. You are worried that you don't have the skills for this role as you look at the 58 year-old across from you in the waiting room.  You grab your iPad and Google "skills that a 58 year-old has" so that you can fake it.  You're concerned that the manager will look at you as one of those unmotivated, entitled kids that you've come up against for most of the jobs you've interviewed.  You see your competition and you're disheartened that you're sitting in this waiting room.

Got a picture of both?  Both of them have a self-fulfilling prophecy behind them.  You will be what you decide you'll be.  Attitude is a decision of the will.  I can choose to be the victim, albeit with a right, or I can choose to rise above it.  Listen, this isn't a decision to be Richard Simmons (yeah, I know some of you have "Sweatin' to the Oldies" in the back of your DVD collection).  It's a decision to be positive and confident in mindset.  Your worth as a person is not about the job you do, but rather, the position you have can be reflective of who you are as a person.  So, if you're weary and frustrated, stop.  Really, stop.

Why are you in this position?  Assess the reasons; own what you need to own.  Develop a plan of attack that's tri-purposed.  One - address the gaps that you see in what you did in previous roles/address those areas where you lack skills.  By address, I don't mean just acknowledge.  I mean, acknowledge, confront, seek out learning, develop.  It's not okay to say I don't know how to "x."  Do you know you can search You Tube for guitar playing and learn how to play on your own?  Do you know that the internet has lots of information on certain skills and ability-enhancements?  What about your community centers and libraries (they do still exist)?  Be vigilant in learning.

Two - volunteer.  Use the skills you have and the ones you're developing to give back to others.  Engage with youth, seniors, displaced workers, colleges.  Develop mastery through usage.  Offer to be a resource at whatever level you're able.  You'll grow to be more of a resource as you start somewhere in that chain.

Three - network with attitude.  Sending out LinkedIn invites is not networking.  Finding communities where you can learn and offer answers at the same time will be more profitable.  Be online with purpose.  If you're spending a portion of your days playing "Candy Crush" or commenting to Ashton Kutchner on Twitter, you're wasting time.  Those internet communities matter whether you're 23 or 58.  Listen, my aunt is 72 and she smokes me on Facebook know-how and usage.  She engages with others, meets people and drives interest in what she brings to the table.  She works 3/4 time for a major grocery chain visiting their multi-site operations where she uses her iPhone to tabulate data...hello?  She rocks.

I have often said that if this HR-thing doesn't work out for me (well, it's been 23 years so far, but you never know), I would be happy to pour coffee at Wawa (I'm sorry for those of you who don't know what this is - Google it!).  It's not about what I am doing, but how I am doing it.  Bills can be paid, yes, but my passions can find a way out even in pouring coffee.

Let me encourage those of you seeking employment.  Change your mindset.  There is no reason to be still; there is no reason to be dejected; there is no reason to stop learning.  You can use your time wisely and have great impact.  Share who you are and what you know how to do.  Be open to learning new skills and sharpening others.  Walk into interviews with passionate purpose.  See your time in life, right now, as an opportunity.  Honestly, everyday is a day where we can be on our way.  We're all making it.

Hello, Is it Me You're Looking For?

The latest statistics show a decrease in unemployment numbers.  Regardless of which way your political bread is buttered, the economy is beginning to open up and that means growth.  For many companies, they struggle with how to implement healthy growth strategies.  Humareso desires to help these companies have a plan.

Adding positions within a company may be a part of the growth strategy.  Sourcing and recruiting for these candidates should be more than just posting an ad online and hoping for a great candidate.  The amount of resumes in response can be overwhelming, and what occurs more and more is a weak resume review.  

So, what can you do?  How can you do more to stand out?  How can you be prepared to be what a company wants?

Well, I wouldn't recommend sending a singing telegram or having your mom call on your behalf.  I would have your knowledge and skills ready.  Start with these:

• Adaptability: Are you flexible?  Can you multi-task?
• Problem-Solving: How do you handle problems?  What reasoning skills do you use?
• Leadership: Who has followed you (what type)?  What style do you use?
• Work Ethic: How have you demonstrated that you are self-motivated?
• Passion: Do you have the ability to generate enthusiasm around you?
• Willingness to Learn: Do you handle change well?

These are only a handful of skills to review in creating a resume and in preparation for an interview.  There are many more skills that should come up, but for all of them, be ready with examples to back up what you affirm.  An employer wants to understand who you are and how you will benefit the company.

So, it really could be you that an employer is looking for.  Get motivated to put that best foot forward.  If it means playing Lionel Richie to motivate you, then do it...just be sure your windows and blinds are closed.