Hungry or Desperate? How To Tell The Difference.
As you are wading through job candidates, you will likely come across a greater-than-usual number of people today who are “hungry” or “eager.” Most of us can be seduced by the convincingly sincere “go-getter” personality that many smooth-talking candidates can turn on at will in order to get the job. We think that if candidates are this eager and persistent in an interview, than they will be the same with prospects helping us achieve our numbers
But the challenge is to separate the eager from the desperate (because a desperate person will do anything). The best way to do this is to probe for substance beneath the elements that make the eager candidates so attractive. Here’s what to look for:
1. Speed – Eager candidates are quick to respond and reply, quick to jump through any hoop you present and quick to provide references when asked. But candidates with substance are also very accurate and detailed in their responses. Eager with misspellings and mistakes spells disaster.
2. Desire – You do not have to sell eager candidates on the position. They have researched it, thought about it and made it clear that they want it. But they must have the appropriate experience, or they must admit that they do not have the experience and be able to articulate how they would meet the challenge without it. Overcompensating with persistence for lack of experience is unacceptable.
3. That little something extra – Eager candidates usually stand out in some way, perhaps by anticipating a question, providing helpful information or preparing a special report or document. However, this kind of information must register with you as real and relevant to the job and situation and not be over the top. If it seems manufactured or just a bit too much, it probably is.
Brenda Abdilla is the president of Management Momentum. She founded it to focus on a small number companies and to utilize her passion for improving sales and management performance. Contact her at 303-456-1210 or www.managementmomentum.net.
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