Understand the Hiring Process
Both you as job seeker and the employer have important roles to play.
As a job seeker, you are ideally looking for a job that is
- reasonably well-paid
- steady (not part-time, seasonal, or “pick-up”)
- something you enjoy doing (or at least don’t actively dislike)
- “workable” in terms of job location, working hours, available transportation, and so forth
The employer is interested in hiring someone who
- is willing to work for a wage the business can afford
- can be trusted to come in, ready for work, on an ongoing, day-after-day basis
- is able to do a better job than the other applicants
The employer is usually also concerned with the job seeker’s
- overall appearance (appropriate clothing, being well groomed)
- ability to “fit in” and work well with the other employees
A job hunt is successful when both the job seeker and the employer feel secure and pleased about the prospects of working together. In order for this to happen, both need enough information about the other to be reasonably sure this will be the case.
Except in times of rapid economic growth, employers do not usually need to “woo” or “court” potential job applicants. Instead, you as the job seeker have the responsibility to:
- determine what kind of job you are looking for (and qualified for)
- contact possible employers
- convince the employer that you have the skills and personal qualities he or she is looking for
Exercise: Many employers say the first thing they look for in making hiring decisions is whether the person will be a reliable employee. Can you honestly say that you can be trusted to come in, on time and ready for work, on an ongoing, day-after-day basis? If yes, good for you! If no, what would you need to do to change this?
