Irony is a funny thing, like karma it always teaches lessons, sometimes though it is only apparent when viewed from a distance.
In my career, I have been fortunate to work for some truly great people who I appreciate more because I have also worked with people who were not, and the contrast has provided insights into how to be successful through retaining good people. In addition, as a volunteer, a job seeker, and now a career advisor, I have also acquired knowledge to share with people about how to seek out these good employers.
Inspired to share both sides of these perspectives this post is about considerations good organizations apply when looking for people and considerations job seekers should apply when looking for a job or career. Please feel free to add your comments and opinions for both sides.
Looking for people – Examine your management styles and how you treat people. I have been a manager and a regular staff member and have learned much about how to treat people with dignity, equality, and inclusiveness, and how to foster a sense of belonging. I have seen organizations for whom this is the foundation of their success and have also seen the opposite. As an employer, embracing DEIB will help you find and keep good people.
Looking for work – Get help. Job seeking is an acquired skill and seeking help from experts will provide you with a strong competitive advantage. Most communities have employment service organizations that provide valuable assistance for no charge. Many communities have more than one organization, with some specializing in their services, for example, to help those experiencing barriers. In the past, I did not use these services enough and now that I work for one, I know their assistance would have helped greatly. Learn about programs, services, and training, and use them to help you achieve your goals.
Looking for people – Examine your culture. Similar to examining your management styles, constantly trying to build a positive culture will provide more reasons for people to want to work for you. Ask yourself and your existing staff, “Why would someone want to work for you,” and take steps to ensure the answers are always positive. Building a positive culture does not have to be expensive; encouraging your people, training them, and acknowledging their contributions can be done without any added costs. Looking in the mirror and trusting your people are important ways to avoid having a “toxic” environment.
Looking for work – Understand the difference between a Marketing and an ATS resume. Use a marketing resume at job fairs and when applying in person, these resumes are more individualized and have more flair. An “Applicant Tracking System” resume is used for applying online and the format is easier for scanning and is formatted for software to scan.
Looking for people – Each time your organization has an opportunity, update the job description imagining “the perfect applicant.” Then decide what skills, experiences, and attitudes your organization is prepared to negotiate when you go to market.
Looking for work – Create a list of your priorities for what kind of job you would like, how much money you are looking for, benefits, etc. Be sure to appreciate your plan may require short/medium/long term steps.
Looking for people – Create an orientation outline, onboarding plan, and ongoing training BEFORE you go to market. Too many organizations leave this step until after hiring and fail to recognize the importance of this process in building staff retention.
Looking for work – Get advice to create a resume that advertises your best skills and experiences. Resumes and cover letters should prioritize your best skills and experiences. Ensure your attributes meet the requirements of the hiring organization. Never assume everyone reads your entire resume. Your resume is an advertisement for you and your best skills, be concise, and one page is best, two only if necessary.
Looking for people – When preparing a job advertisement and/or preparing interview questions, be conscious of your biases. To overcome your hidden prejudices, use standard questions and always have at least two interviewers.
Looking for work – Use your personal network of friends, family, and colleagues, and tell as many people as you can you are looking for work.
Looking for people – When posting a job opportunity, cast a wide net by using online listings, and all forms of media, as well as telling suppliers, your customers, and especially posting internally.
Looking for work – Post your ATS resume on all available job search websites. Websites such as Indeed have algorithms that employers use to search for qualified applicants opening possibilities for an employer to seek you out.
Looking for people – Many successful organizations use referrals from their staff to find new applicants and will offer a “recruitment bonus” for new hires found through this process who stay with the organization for a minimum period.
Looking for work – Attend job fairs using your marketing resume and prepare an “Engagement Plan.” Research which organizations will be attending, prepare a list of questions to ask, bring copies of your resume with references attached, and actively engage in conversations. This can be initially awkward, but you will be much more successful than those who don’t.
Looking for people – Go to job fairs. The key to successful recruiting is actively engaging job seekers. Many job seekers will be nervous and employers must take the initiative to actively engage those people walking past and make them feel comfortable.
Looking for work – Seek out the hidden job market, it is called “cold calling.” Jobs posted online are not the only jobs available and job seekers who literally “knock on doors” will find by being prepared and persistent they can build connections and open doors for opportunities where there is much less competition.
Looking for people – Due to bias, stigma, and a lack of awareness, many employers do not consider looking for people to hire who are experiencing barriers to employment. People may experience barriers because of disabilities, age, language, mental health experience, criminal records, etc.; however, many of these job seekers are motivated, reliable, and dependable (MRD) and have valuable skills. Consider “job carving” as your organization may be able to split tasks to enable applicants with specific barriers to contribute to your success.
Looking for work – To stand out when applying for an opportunity, always tailor your cover letter and resume specifically for that job, ensuring your applicable skills and experiences address the needs of the hiring organization.
Looking for people – Remember successful organizations begin sharing their organizational culture as soon as an opportunity is posted. It is never too early to give people reasons why they should be part of your team.
Looking for work – When invited for an interview, research the organization, prepare questions to ask, try to relax as much as possible, thank the interviewer(s), and follow up.
Looking for people – Ensure that everyone in your organization collaborates and contributes to making a new person’s first day, week, and month as welcoming as possible. It is easy for a new person to feel isolated and alone in a new organization and taking these steps makes a big difference.
Looking for work – Make sure you use the services and government incentives available to you. You may qualify for re-training, tool and clothing allowances, and wage subsidies; but only if you investigate and ask.
Looking for people – Pay a living wage, hire full-time people when possible, and provide benefits, even if the cost of those benefits is shared with your employees. Finding, hiring, and training people is disruptive and expensive; where possible providing incentives to keep good people can actually cost less in terms of upheaval and continuity.
Looking for work – Until you find a job, even if you have had good interviews, keep applying for as many opportunities until you receive a firm job offer. It can be tempting to “take your foot off the gas” after a good interview; however, keep persisting until you receive an acceptable job offer.
Looking for people – Recruitment never ends, by constantly building a network of contacts and speaking to people who might be interested in your next opportunity, you strengthen and protect your organization, making it easier to find good people when you need them.
Looking for work – Never stop learning, even after you are working. Ongoing learning is one of the best protections workers can do for themselves.
Looking for people – Support cooperative education by opening your workplace to high schools, colleges, and universities. In addition, offer mentorships, all of these are excellent opportunities to build a pool of future applicants as well as to strengthen your reputation in your community.
Looking for work – Never assume you are over or under-qualified, if there is a job you are interested in, take a chance, apply, and be as well prepared as possible.
Irony and karma do exist and I see their effects every day. I believe that fortune favors the bold, the prepared, and the hardest workers. I also believe by being able to see what you do well, and what you don’t do as well, and by constantly trying to be better; you will be rewarded, not only by finding good people, but by finding great jobs.
Looking for people and looking for work are both sides of the same issue, appreciating the similarities and nuances will help you regardless of what side you are on. Build your own karma.
Good luck,
Paul.