I hope you're different. Job-hunting is one tough job, and ideas and suggestions given by many an expert book is not the easiest route to go when you're looking for a job. But the techniques suggested in this article work as they have been time and time again over the past thirty years. And they can work for you provided you put them into practice. So, go to it. Never forget that there are very few things in life as important as having a job that's right for you. And keep in mind that all the work you put into getting hired for this job is going to pay you dividends for a long time to come. Good luck!
All people, in one way or another, are imperfect but imperfect people look to hire perfect people,
What the Surveys Showed
As part of the research a leading firm, Burke Marketing Research, Inc. conducted two surveys: one among personnel executives, the other among top management. Here is a summary of the key findings.
The majority of top management executives agree that:
- Personality and intelligence, in most cases can compensate for a lack of specific job experience.
- In general, demonstrating aggressiveness and assertiveness in the job interview will enhance your chances of being hired.
- Most interviewers will take notice of whether or not you look them in the eye.
- Having been fired from your previous job will not necessarily prevent you from being hired, everything else being equal.
- Being divorced is not a handicap in most hiring situations.
- Basic enthusiasm is one of the most important qualifications for most jobs.
- Showing up late for an interview will hurt your chances of being hired.
- Virtually all unsolicited letters written to top executives get read and most draw some response.
- Wearing jeans to an interview (regardless of your sex) will hurt your chances of being hired.
- Being overweight is a definite disadvantage when you're looking for a job.
- How you dress is a very important consideration to most interviewers.
- Your interviewer will be able to tell when you are exaggerating your skills.
- Your chances of being hired are better if you appear to be overconfident than they would be if you appeared to be shy.
- Most interviewers are more interested in you as a person than in your specific skills and back-ground.
- Not knowing anything about the company interviewing you will hurt your chances of being hired.
Burke researchers asked personnel executives to name the most influential factors in their decision. Here is how the list turned out in order of their importance:
- Your personality: how you present yourself during the interview.
- Your experience.
- The qualifications you show for the job you're being interviewed for.
- Your background and references.
- The enthusiasm you show toward the company and the job.
- Your educational and technical background.
- Your growth potential.
- Your compatibility (i.e. ability to get along with co-workers).
- Your intelligence and capacity to learn.
- How hard a worker you appear to be.
