In a highly competitive job market there are certain realities that job seekers need to face. Things like there are jobs that you will apply for, that you’ll never hear back from. Or that the sometimes education doesn’t replace experience and sometimes vice versa.
Here are a few things that you may want to think seriously about when looking for work. A few things that Hiring Mangers know but aren’t willing to share with you.
- A Hiring freeze is in place – every head count is important. They’ve only got one shot at hiring the right person and don’t have the option to split that one job into two positions. Which means they may be cramming more than one position into the one you’re applying for. Be prepared and willing to perform multiple roles, Analyst, Manager, Technical and non-technical.
- That Hiring Manager is looking to hire the best talent/skill/experience in economical locations – may not be in Bay Area, may not be in US, maybe in Asia. Though this could sound discouraging, it could actually work for you. Sometimes the cheapest location is virtual. If you see a job that could conceivably be done virtually, apply for it. Be sure to include the ways that making the position virtual is going to save them money. If not, think about relocating to where they want you to be.
- Hiring Manager gets bonus and credit for getting results – not for hiring a new team member. The hiring manager wants proof that you can deliver results. A good handshake and pleasant smile are great, but show him proof that you can get the job done.
- Hiring Manager cannot make the decision right away because requirement is not finalized. Basically the age old “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” saying applies here. The hiring manager may just be checking to see who’s out there and how the hiring manager can achieve that goal, may not be ready to hire anytime soon. Just because the interview went well, doesn’t mean you’re going to be getting a call soon.
- The job title is not final – it may change probably to a lower title. These days’ titles change more times than Paris Hilton during a magazine shoot. That also means when searching the jobs ads, don’t just look at the title in the heading. Look closely at the description itself before deciding whether to apply or not. Also, Don’t count on the title of the job as the one you’ll actually be using. When you present yourself for the interview, be prepared to explain tasks you can/have performed in the lower titles too. You might get a job with lower title but you can grow quickly, given your previous experience in higher title
- He/She is looking for personal references – from people he/she knows closely. Nothing gives you a boost more than a first person reference. That is the Ntroduction’s core value – Which is also why LinkedIn is becoming more and more popular with hiring managers.
- He/She is looking for certifications as well as brand name company experience (such as Big4). The importance of secondary education has never been more important than it is today, but so is the importance of some real valid experience from reputed companies
- They’re looking for a team member, not a leader – the Hiring Manager wants to retain that role of leader. The Hiring Manager isn’t looking to hire someone to run the show, so don’t go into the hiring process acting like you’re going to do so. Demonstrate flexibility that you can lead as well as be a contributor.
- The hiring manager is looking for somebody who is available almost all the time to perform tasks – not somebody with commitments. Make sure when you interview that you make it very clear you’re willing to work overtime, be on call and go above and beyond the call of duty. These days hiring managers are looking for people who can do more than just pull their own weight.
Keep these things when looking for work and going on interviews. But don’t be discouraged, it may be slow going but things are definitely starting to turn around for the job market and hopefully, the long hours or lower titles will improve. In fact a government report released today and mentioned on CNN.com shows that the number of job seekers competing for each job opening has dropped from 6.4 to 5.9, according to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
It’s still tough out there, but it’s getting better.
