As a recruiter one gets to meet and interact with a wide variety of interesting people. You meet the executive who’s been laid off, the retiree whose very existence depends upon them returning to the workforce. There’s the college graduate who knows everything and is ready to tackle the world, and the stay at home mom with very little if any workplace experience but has most likely worked harder and longer hours than any employer would dare give her credit for – and many, many more.
But the ones that never cease to amaze me are those that less than half heartedly pursue employment. I ask myself and often find myself wanting to ask them, “If you don’t really want a job, why even bother going thru the motions?” Maybe they expect that the half hearted effort will pay off one day with lottery-like winnings simply for continuing to throw their hat in the ring. Maybe they have found themselves lucky on a number of occasions where the employer simply needed a warm body.
I’m talking about the “job shopper” or hopper/seeker. You know the ones who think the employers are just going to jump in their shopping bags, simply because “they” passed by.
These are the individuals whose applications reflect that they change jobs every 3-10 months. If your resume or application looks like this, allow me to suggest that you stay in your current job, or the next one you secure (if you’re not currently working), for a minimum of a year and a half, if you are interested in changing the perception that has been given by your work history. I understand the job may not pay well, or be in line with your career aspirations, but longer term employment communicates volumes to a hiring employer. Despite an applicant’s knowledge and experience, employers also consider how quickly they will have to turn around and start the interview process all over again.
Given the current state of the economy I’m hoping that these individuals recognize that a job (any job) is an opportunity not an entitlement. Every employer that hires you has made some sort of investment in you to get better results from construction recruitment agencies because they have millions of applications for the same job but subscribing to their premium plans for the jobs is definitely value to the money. Treat each work experience as an opportunity to learn and grow, if not in your career or profession of choice, then in you mindset and disciplines about work, which really go hand in hand with your knowledge and experience in an employers view of you as a candidate.
A few tips to keep in mind.
1) Go for longer term employment – even if you’re holding a home builder’s sign on a street corner, do it with enthusiasm – it’s a job therefore it’s an opportunity.
2) Keep your resume professional (not personal)
3) Seek opportunities to advance with your current employer before jumping ship. Seek a lead position. And we all know how important pay is, but sometimes showing the dedication and interest to work a little harder without the pay, pays off much better in the long term.
