I've recently started watching "The Voice" on NBC and have to say what a phenomenal show it is. Judging someone on their TALENT rather than their APPEARANCE seems so obvious and yet so intangible. In a society where everything is based on the superficial, often amazing people are overlooked because they don't fit into a certain "mold."In essence...judging a book by its cover. (See Susan Boyle).
Recently I went to visit a client that I had been working with for quite a while. As I made my way to the appointment, I envisioned what I might encounter when I walked through their glass doors...Pin drop quiet offices, with SUPER cerebral individuals discussing Quantum Physics and what Apple would do now that Steve Jobs was taking another leave of absence. I expected a lot of mahogany and forest green and stockings (and maybe even a pocket protector or two). And I pictured fashionably challenged executives with little to say to my effervescent, tabloid reading, reality show watching self.
To say I could not have been further from the truth would be an understatement! The minute I set foot inside their office, I was greeted by the warmest receptionist I have met in a long time. Well spoken and enthusiastic, it was obvious she was thrilled to be in their employ. And it only got better from there. To say this company is a well oiled machine is an understatement. Each person I met, regardless of title or tenure, was more intelligent, put together and congenial then the last. As I moved from meeting to meeting, I realized how far off my perception was from their reality. Together, these employees bred success. They were all part of the greater good and their company's success was proof. It was a wake up call for me and truly defined the age old problem of PERCEPTION vs. REALITY.
It reminded me that it's important to give things a chance and not judge based on rumor, gossip or someone else's perception. Here was a company that is the BEST at what they do...and they are in an industry that has TOUGH competition. And yet the candidates that I was presenting were completely off base. Not to say I wasn't presenting excellent candidates...but I was basing it on MY perception of the company rather than THEIR reality. Seeing the "man behind the curtain" opened my eyes and completely changed the way I source candidates for them.
My past experiences have afforded me tremendous opportunities at companies my candidates would die to work for. But the reality of these "sexy" places were that at the end of the day they were all jobs. And even with all the perks and fun things they offered, I'm not at those jobs anymore for a reason.
I really learned a valuable lesson that day and it's one that I will remember and in turn instill in my candidates moving forward. In the end, it's so important to pick a job that's right for you. Sometimes your perception is so far from their reality that you need to remember to choose a job based on it's voice...not it's appearance.
Good night and happy job hunting,
The Job Yenta
After 10 years of recruiting, and thousands of candidates later, it's time to put my thoughts, rants, raves and stories on "paper." If you've ever applied for, recruited for, or worked at a job, then read away. I promise, you'll find a little bit of everything in here. Happy Job Hunting!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
NO SH*T SHERLOCK
Today I experienced something I have never experienced in the ten years I've been recruiting. A candidate lied. Now, of course, MANY candidates have lied before...but not to this magnitude. This wasn't a small, "the dog ate my homework" lie. This was "my stepbrother has been killed and I can't accept the offer from your client" lie. Now how do I know she was lying...because she had another offer on the table and instead of telling me she was going to take that position over the one my client offered, she told me that her stepbrother had been killed and she needed time to be with her family.
Now you're all asking...but how do you know she lied? Because on a hunch, I called the other company where she had the offer and when I asked the receptionist to connect me to her, she connected me right to her! BUSTED. (I totally should've worked for Scotland Yards). I'm still in shock. I don't know if you all know what the word KINE-AHORA means, but it's one of The Job Yenta's FAVORITES...It's the reason I don't bring baby stuff into the house before the baby is born; why I don't say, "WOW...we haven't hit ANY traffic yet!"; and why I never say the words, "The kids haven't been sick all winter." In essence, it's a curse or unwanted karma...and baby it's a BITCH.
There was no reason for this girl to lie. And the worst part is that after she told this tragic, albeit made up, story, my client sent her an email telling her how sorry they were and that they would love to have her in their employ...whenever she was ready to resume her search, the offer would still be on the table.
What candidates cease to realize is I understand they have to do what's best for them. I'm not a used car salesman who NEEDS you to take the job I offer...nor am I going to be angry if you go a different route. Sure, I'll be letdown, but I know it's not personal. The worst part for me is having to tell the client you're not interested and then having to start over, but ultimately, I sell people so I know that there's always the possibility for disappointment. But to make up a lie of that magnitude is just astonishing. And this was such a lovely candidate whom I thought I had developed a great rapport with. Joke's on me huh?
The bottom line is, if you work with a recruiter, be honest and informative throughout the process. If you have other interviews, or are close to getting offers, tell the recruiter. This will only add fuel to their fire of getting you hired. And most importantly, don't hedge your bets. In the end it will ALWAYS come back to bite you in the ass. Recruiters are amazing resources who can get you into doors you never thought possible...and help you land jobs that you may not have gotten without their help. I keep in touch with as many candidates that I DIDN'T place as those that I did because even when I don't find them jobs, I helped them with their search. But dishonesty or deceit may get you what you want in the immediate future, but ultimately it will come back to haunt you in the long run.
Good night and happy job hunting,
The Job Yenta
Now you're all asking...but how do you know she lied? Because on a hunch, I called the other company where she had the offer and when I asked the receptionist to connect me to her, she connected me right to her! BUSTED. (I totally should've worked for Scotland Yards). I'm still in shock. I don't know if you all know what the word KINE-AHORA means, but it's one of The Job Yenta's FAVORITES...It's the reason I don't bring baby stuff into the house before the baby is born; why I don't say, "WOW...we haven't hit ANY traffic yet!"; and why I never say the words, "The kids haven't been sick all winter." In essence, it's a curse or unwanted karma...and baby it's a BITCH.
There was no reason for this girl to lie. And the worst part is that after she told this tragic, albeit made up, story, my client sent her an email telling her how sorry they were and that they would love to have her in their employ...whenever she was ready to resume her search, the offer would still be on the table.
What candidates cease to realize is I understand they have to do what's best for them. I'm not a used car salesman who NEEDS you to take the job I offer...nor am I going to be angry if you go a different route. Sure, I'll be letdown, but I know it's not personal. The worst part for me is having to tell the client you're not interested and then having to start over, but ultimately, I sell people so I know that there's always the possibility for disappointment. But to make up a lie of that magnitude is just astonishing. And this was such a lovely candidate whom I thought I had developed a great rapport with. Joke's on me huh?
The bottom line is, if you work with a recruiter, be honest and informative throughout the process. If you have other interviews, or are close to getting offers, tell the recruiter. This will only add fuel to their fire of getting you hired. And most importantly, don't hedge your bets. In the end it will ALWAYS come back to bite you in the ass. Recruiters are amazing resources who can get you into doors you never thought possible...and help you land jobs that you may not have gotten without their help. I keep in touch with as many candidates that I DIDN'T place as those that I did because even when I don't find them jobs, I helped them with their search. But dishonesty or deceit may get you what you want in the immediate future, but ultimately it will come back to haunt you in the long run.
Good night and happy job hunting,
The Job Yenta
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)