#candidatelife

[xiumei1206-7]

[francieking]

How not to attract top talent, a love story.

I admit it. In my 20′s, I was worried about having fun and growing up, not my career. That has put me a bit in deficit but my last two jobs (more than five years time) have allowed me to learn, grow and know my strengths (and weaknesses). I am here to win, not to play. I have spent the last year in contemplation, giving my time to those in need and focus on creating a better me and a better Portland. Its been a year of growth and opportunity, but I am still looking for a full time role that inspires.

There have been countless meetings, interviews, and screenings on my calendar that frankly have left me the opposite of inspired. I am determined to find the light, and spread my vision so I will keep going. Here are some recent less than stellar interactions:

1.Interviewer sounds like they’re in tears on the phone. “Its great working here. Even with the layoffs.” (Lesson: know when to hire, and when to recalibrate.)

2. Send a rejection letter to the wrong name (like, not even close. I literally can not make this up). (Lesson: slow down.)

3. Send a discount code to future events you’re hosting after saying in an email “We will not be interviewing you.” Awkward and odd. (Lesson: work with a legal team on your rejection letters and treat people like people.)

4. Ghost/ignore. Shocking to be treated this way professionally but becoming more and more common place. (Lesson: everyone is worth a proper response. You’re not more important/busier than anyone else. If you don’t have time to hire, don’t.)

5. Not know anything about me during an interview, although I have sent writing samples, a resume and a cover letter. This is in addition to my blog, Linkedin and recommendations from colleagues. (Lesson: preparation is sexy.)

6. Leave a voicemail late on a Friday night saying they hired someone else five months after the interview. Again, this is not exaggerated. I had checked out my competition on Linkedin months before. (Lesson: timing is everything.)

7. “I have exactly 15 minutes to talk to you.” I was recently cut off during a conversation that started late while I was asking a question to get to know the role better. (Lesson: (again!) If you don’t have time for interview, change your schedule, or hold off on hiring.)

8. Video interviews for local candidates. This makes no sense to me. I live nearby and would rather meet in person, see the office and feel the vibe in person. And vice versa- I would like them to see me in the flesh. This makes me not interested to be honest. (Lesson: companies should think less of scheduling and more about finding the right fit. This will pay off for them and the employee (imagine a win-win situation).)

I am not discouraged. I am resolute to be better and humanize the approach, as we’re all people. When I’m on the other side of the table, I will remember that my time is not any more important than yours, and vice versa. I spent time applying, researching and preparing. Shouldn’t you spend time responding, thanking me for my skills and at least be present in the process? I am far from perfect but I am always trying to learn, better myself and do more next time. Not sure why I am on this journey but trying to learn from it each day. I can find something good in each interaction and right now that is my job.