You have two ears, USE THEM

I've written today's post so you can learn from the mistakes of others. All my coaching is based on that model. I see and hear what keeps others from getting hired and I want you to understand why and learn from it.

This morning one of my recruiters asked someone to email us his updated resume, a common routine procedure that automatically populates into our database. He called back and said it would be easier to fax, but for whom? Him, of course. It's one thing to ask for another method of sending a resume, especially if you don't have access to a computer. That's understandable and I'm not inflexible. However... this person has Internet access, and he told my recruiter he didn't want to use it because, for him, it's quicker to fax. But the fact that he didn't want to follow directions made the hiring process harder for me. Now, instead of working with clients to find him a job or make his information easily available to interested companies, my recruiter has two choices: manually enter in his information into our database before we can begin matching his skills with clients, or just find another candidate already in our database and place that person instead.

He didn't want to put in the effort, so why should we? It's supply and demand, folks. In today's job market, there is no short supply of people looking for work. In addition to making my recruiter's job more difficult, it gives me a good picture of how well he listens and follows directions.

We all have the ability to hear, but listening is a skill everyone should learn. Each of us has our own model of the world, our own agenda, and our own voices in our head. If you don't pay attention, you can hear what others are saying, but not listen to what it means and tune out what they want from you. Companies are looking for people that can follow directions, pay attention to detail, and can accomplish tasks. When someone is talking to you, listen intently, pause, comprehend, and respond. This is very important when your looking to earn a new career.

Did you know that you are being interviewed every time you interact with a potential employer, and you increase your chances of scheduling an interview or getting the job if you listen and follow their directions. So if you are asked to fill out an online application, email or fax a resume, complete a drug screen by a certain date, or given any other set of instructions.... not only should you do it, but do it their way. There is no room for Frank Sinatras in this job market. If you do things "my way," then don't be surprised if they tell you to hit the highway!

Dennis