Not all job applicants are created equal.
I think this is a fact that people tend to forget when they review descriptions and send out their materials. In every hiring game, there’s front runners, middle of the road, and the scrappy-interesting-hungry underdog who could come in to take the game. These positions are assigned when the hiring manager first reviews your resume. Your role can change through the game but know that these are the basic assignments out of the gate.
Front runners are easy. They’re the people that are the closest fit for the job because they did it before-in many cases it was the last job that they had. It’s an easy slide from one to the other, and front runners usually know this. They’ll get a call because the hiring manger found their resume (i.e., they sent it in a timely fashion and didn’t wait too long), and gave them a call soon after they receive it because they look great on paper.
How it can go wrong for them: They slack off. Employers want to see that enthusiasm, that excitement that you have about learning something new. They want to see that hunger in your belly (not the actual eat-their-sandwich hunger because you’re broke), but that drive, desire to jump in-enthusiasm, interest in engaging them in genuine idea-sharing conversation. If you’re that good of a fit, then it’s gonna come down to your personality and how you fit with the organization. If you don’t show it, and walk in assuming you’re the answer to their prayers and there isn’t anyone else they could want, you’re out of the game. They’ll assume you’ll only become even more bored and arrogant than you appear in the interview, and it’s done.
Middle-of-the-Roaders: These are the people that have many of the qualifications, but not all. They may have come into the game through a networking contact or whoever was reviewing resumes found something interesting in their background and was willing to take a chance. They can tell a strong story, but they don’t have everything.
How it can go wrong for them: These candidates will typically display that fire-in-the-belly enthusiasm, but need to demonstrate how they will close the gap between the have’s and the have-nots. They (and the Underdogs below) need to remember that if they got the interview call-then it’s up to them to fight for the job. Employers don’t randomly call people off of their resume just to chat. Something piqued their interest. Don’t get discouraged when they bring up objections! Think “BRING IT ON!” You’ve got them on the phone, you hear what they’re saying, they want to be convinced, or they would NOT HAVE CALLED! Too many times I see jobseekers falling apart on this. They get discouraged when faced with these objections and instead of fighting for the position using their best argument, they hang up the phone and complain how they’re never a fit for anything. FIGHT! Defend your career, show how you’re relevant! You have nothing to lose, and a win in this category feels very, very sweet.
The Underdog: These people may have a few of the qualifications, but are more likely banking on their skillset and scrappiness to get in the door. They are more likely a networking contact or did something distinctive to get the company’s attention. And why not, they have nothing to lose because they’re the underdog. They have a passion for the company, brand, and are willing to show it. Could cross the line into creepy, but if they play their cards right, this could work out for them.
The underdog’s best strategy: Prepare for the interview every way possible. Know everything about the company-proactively follow them on Twitter and Facebook soon after applying so you can discuss relevant points in the phone screen. Come prepared with great questions for discussion. Show how you’d add value immediately. Be aware of their concerns about your background and come prepared with a concrete plan to defend or get up to speed as quickly as possible. The problem the underdog encounters is not recognizing that they’re in this specific role…and not going the extra mile to prepare. They’ve got the hunger and enthusiasm, but they need to demonstrate the skill.
The moral of the story: Know your role going in. In the majority of the positions you apply for, you’ll be in the 2 lower categories-so prepare appropriately, and if you’re lucky enough to be considered the shoe-in candidate, that means you still need to show them that you want it-win them over with your personality.
Now–let’s go get some jobs!!!
Melanie Szlucha’s company Red Inc. Helps candidates stand out from the crowd–in a good way. Follow her on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/Red_Inc) or check out her website: http://www.reallygreatresume.com
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