What Does it Take to Get Hired?

Job openings hit an all-time high in the United States last year and 2017 is predicted to be the best job market in years – especially for experienced workers. Millions of jobs reportedly went unfilled in America last year. Organizations just couldn’t find what they were looking for.

So, what does it take to get hired?

Last year, Marco added more than 200 new employees. During the 50 plus interviews I personally participate in each year, I have identified a few attributes that differentiate candidates and get them hired. I am letting you in on five of them in this blog. Here they are in no particular order:

  1. Ability to present confidently.
    Whether you’re communicating your own skills in an interview or a new idea in the workplace, good presentation skills will benefit you. Don’t shy away from opportunities to speak in front of a group – better yet, offer to present. Those who have the confidence to share their ideas and are well prepared will always stand out from the crowd.

  2. Keen communication.
    Everyone says communication skills are a must – and they are. During an interview, articulating a clear and concise message and being a good listener will set you apart from the other candidates. Make sure you understand the questions so you can keep your responses focused and your thoughts well-organized. Stay away from using cliché statements such as “I’m a people person” or “I’m a team player.” You need to be more descriptive and use your own examples. Personalized communication versus scripted responses is a better practice.

  3. Be an initiator.
    Being a good follower can be a desired attribute in some positions. But at some point, everyone has the opportunity to step up and take an idea to execution. How have you been an initiator and driven change? Find opportunities to share your demonstrated experience in this area and you’ll leave a lasting impression. 
  4. Support change.
    Not everyone needs to be a change agent, but you don’t want to come across that you are adverse to change either. Almost without exception, most industries are experiencing some element of change. Think about how you have adapted to change in your past and communicate it in an interview. For seasoned workers, this may be how they embrace technology. For millennials, it could be how they adapt to a workplace culture that’s made up of all generations. Supporting change is a defining characteristic that separates those who succeed in an organization and their careers – from those who may not.

  5. Well-rounded business mind.
    Yes, it’s important to be good at your job, but you also have to understand the business you’re working for. That includes being financially minded and knowing what makes the organization both strong and vulnerable. I don’t expect job candidates to understand our business, but I do listen for how well they understand the organization they currently work for. It shows me that they care about the bigger picture and see how they fit into it.

Do you have what it takes to get hired – or promoted this year? Automation is changing jobs, but human capital has never been more important. The fastest growing jobs today are those that require creativity, flexibility and the ability to develop personal relationships.

Keep your skills sharp and never stop learning. Wishing you happiness and prosperity in 2017.

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Topics: Recruiting, Hiring