Maybe I am aging faster than I will admit, but I have seen a trend in the professional workplace that is unsettling. Decorum. As defined by Webster, it is “correct or proper behavior that shows respect and good manners.” One of the things I tell hiring managers is that the initial candidate interview is as good as it will get. The candidates’ behavior, manners, etiquette, communication, etc. will never exceed their level as observed in that first interview. Therefore, the candidate’s decorum should be exemplary in that interview to the point where it is memorable. Sadly, I simply am not seeing this exemplary decorum nearly as much as I used… Read More
Continue ReadingObjectivity Trumps Bias
We are all biased, it is simply how we are wired no matter what people believe. Our brains have the innate ability to categorize – a distinct survival mechanism for sure. This ability becomes problematic in the hiring process as hiring managers can often be influenced by their own biases when making hiring decisions. To be blunt, hiring managers are prewired to clone themselves in their hires. So what of this? Does it matter? If your hiring manager is strong, especially a sales manager, wouldn’t it be best to clone them? No. End of post…ok, I won’t be so short. The key to successful hiring, especially as it pertains to… Read More
Continue ReadingTattoos Hurt You
I’ve written about this before, but it keeps coming around – tattoos hurt your chances of landing a job according to this salary.com article. I am a bit old to participate in the tattoo craze so I probably come across as a stodgy old man on this topic. However, the millennials seem to be enthralled with tattoos even in open sight. To give you proof: A recent study from the Pew Research Center found nearly 40% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo… Think about that stat – 40%! That is more than a fad. But here is where the problem develops: The… Read More
Continue ReadingEnd My Hiring Misery
Here is a good read from Inc.com on improving your hiring process. The pull quote for me: In my opinion, one of the reasons people do such a poor job in hiring, is that they just want to get it over with,” Matuson says. “Really take your time, do it right, and ask yourself the question, constantly, ‘is this person good enough? Is this really the right person, or am I just trying to end my misery?” Umm, yes, I have seen that first hand on many occasions…from my customers! Anyway, there is some good information in the article along with some cliché advice. Here is some of the good:… Read More
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