by Trevor Gelder, Corporate Director
Talent Acquisition and Deployment
From what you can tell, you’re perfect for the position. But you haven’t been called for an interview and you’re wondering why. Truth is, there are several possible explanations – and typically they don’t have anything to do with the qualifications listed in the job description.
Most companies try to minimize turnover. Let’s face it – hiring a new employee is expensive. By the time you add up the recruiting costs, personnel costs, training costs and the lost productivity, the dollar amount can easily exceed an employee’s annual salary.
As recruiters, it is our job to screen for signs that a candidate may be seeking a change for the wrong reasons, has a track record of excessive job changes or just doesn’t seem to be able to make it past the “honeymoon” phase.
What do we look for? There is no better prediction of the future than history, so we review each resume and try to see what it is really saying. If a candidate has left every job they have ever had after two years, we can predict they will likely stay with us for two years. On the flip side, if a candidate has stayed with one company for 20 years and then has several short jobs, we can predict that while the person has shown the capacity to stay for the long haul, he or she may have trouble adjusting to a new culture. If we see a candidate who has worked at a number of companies for a year or two at a time, then working for him/herself for a long stint, then back to corporate positions for more short stays, chances are good that the candidate wants/needs to be the boss and may have some issues working with teams.
Sometimes, all of this history makes us dig deeper, and sometimes, unfortunately, it eliminates you.
What can you do? Honesty is the best policy, so don’t doctor your resume. Like your credit history, there is no quick fix for your work history. You need to work hard to make good decisions when going to work for a company. Is the culture right for you? Is the company stable? Does the position really fit your personality?
Once you do get a job, don’t be tempted by that green grass on the other side of the fence. Rather, keep a positive attitude, treat people with respect and concentrate on being a great asset to your employer. Hang in there when times get tough, and you can reduce any perceived risks that could be associated with hiring you in the future.