How does my approach to a job search effect a recruiter or a prospective employers impression of me as a candidate?.
Full text: Q How does my approach to a job search effect a recruiter or a prospective employers impression of
me as a candidate?
A An astute recruiter/interviewer visualizes an applicant first as a candidate, then as an employee. By observing
your behavior and comparing it to that which we know to be successful characteristics in others, we may be
able to predict your on-the-job performance. Here are several traits you must demonstrate throughout the
interviewing process:
Tenacity – You get people to speak with and meet with you. Nobody wants to employ an executive who gives up
after just one try.
Realistic – You do your homework, know when to charge and when to back off. Nobody wants to employ
someone who perpetually runs at full tilt over cliffs.
Focused — concentrate on specific targeted opportunities. Use a rifle rather than a buckshot approach. Focus
tells a prospective employer you will not waste his or your time on insignificant busy work.
Self-reliant – Eager to take on new challenges, you wake early, get the jump on others, seek opportunities for
growth and dont wait for someone to tell you what to do next.
Resilient — Mistakes are inevitable and educational. If turned down do you find out why and learn from the
experience? Winners demonstrate the ability to grow from adversity. They strive not for perfection but for
excellence.
Selective — Youre not content to simply accept the first job you hear about. You energetically work at pursuing
and getting the right job. This tells us you wont jump at just any opportunity that comes your way later or make
gut-feel decisions which may prove costly to your employer.
Persuasive – You know your strengths and have the ability to sell yourself. By relating anecdotes which provide
evidence of experience you convince others of your ability to apply skill and knowledge to addressing their
needs.
Ethical – You wont accept an offer, then leverage a better deal elsewhere.
A good recruiter is always on the lookout for candidates who have responsibly thought through the job-change
process and can articulate why they are the best qualified to fill a particular search. In fact, the process itself can
provide opportunities for a candidate to demonstrate competencies.
Q As search chairman for our club, I was astounded at some of the things applicants say. Please share some
tips in your column that might help management candidates maximize their performance and minimize
mistakes.
A Smart job seekers are informed job seekers. Before interviewing, at the minimum, you must learn something
about the employer, their expectations and the job. When asked “Why are you interested in working here,”
youd better be ready with a good answer.
Some hiring authorities define their role as “screening out” applicants. Sure, its a negative approach but it does
save lots of time. So if youre less prepared than others you wont stand a chance. Talk to colleagues, past
employees, and current department heads.
Find out why the job is available. Ask to see the last two fiscal years financial statements, secure Chamber of
Commerce materials. Tour the area and the club before the interview so you can make some informed
observations.
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Here are some of the most outrageous questions Ive actually heard. This is, unfortunately, far from a
comprehensive list. They just keep coming:
What psychiatric care benefits do you have available?
What is the presidents zodiac sign?
How do you feel about the manager putting together his own Saturday morning foursome?
What is your policy regarding the manager drinking on the property?
What hours do you expect me to work?
Can my children enter club tournaments?
When will I be eligible for my first vacation?
Do you mind if I wear slippers in the office?
How do you feel about a manager getting divorced after hes been here a year or two?
What is the clubs policy regarding the manager being away frequently to attend to trade association business?
Just how many committee meetings do you expect the manager to attend?
How high could the food cost go before you worry?
How many warnings would I get before being fired?
What color is the managers car?
Q I seem to keep making the same mistakes over and over again. What can I do to break this cycle?
A Mental health professionals say a sure sign of illness is when a person does exactly the same thing over and
over again and expects different results each time. A lesson tends to be repeated until learned. It may be
presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. But, once learned, you move on to the next lesson.
Learning does not end. Everything we do in life contains lessons. If you are alive, there will always be more
lessons to learn. Doesnt that beat the alternative?
AuthorAffiliation
The Career Doctor is recruiter Harvey Weiner, president of Dallas-based Search America, specialists in private
club management selection and recruitment. Send your confidential questions in writing to: Harvey Weiner, The
Career Doctor in care of Club Management Magazine, or Search America, 5908 Meadowcreek Drive, Dallas,
TX 75248, (972)2333302. Fax (972)233-1518. E-Mail: searchamerica@sprynet.com.
Publication title: Club Management
Volume: 76
Issue: 1
Pages: 22
Number of pages: 1
Publication year: 1997
Publication date: Jan/Feb 1997
Publisher: Club Managers Association of America
Place of publication: St. Louis
Country of publication: United States
Publication subject: Clubs, Food And Food Industries
ISSN: 00099589
Source type: Trade Journals
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Language of publication: English
Document type: PERIODICAL
ProQuest document ID: 197831757
Document URL: http://search.proquest.com/docview/197831757?accountid=28844
Copyright: Copyright Finan Publishing Company, Inc. Jan/Feb 1997
Last updated: 2012-04-27
Database: ProQuest Central
08 August 2015 Page 3 of 4 ProQuest
Bibliography
Citation style: APA 6th – American P sychological Association, 6th Edition
Weiner, H. (1997). Characteristics of success. Club Management, 76(1), 22. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/197831757?accountid=28844
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