Why Are Hiring Companies Being So Picky?

Because they can.

It's a buyers' market; do you expect hiring managers to behave differently than everyone else?

If you’re considering a big-ticket purchase...say, a house...and there's a glut of homes listed for sale (like right now in many markets), you know you can afford to be choosey. There’s no reason to “settle” when you know you don’t have to.

This property doesn’t have an updated kitchen? Keep looking – maybe you can find something better. Smaller closets than what you’d like? Back burner. The next one needs some work? Pass.

When it's a buyers' market, you can be picky because there's a lot of inventory to choose from. You can keep looking until you get closest to what you’ve outlined on your wish list.

Conversely, if you’re trying to sell your house right now, you’re probably going to be up against a lot of competition. Homes that show better (updated décor and appliances, no maintenance issues, curb appeal, etc.) are considered more desirable. Even then, you may have to market more aggressively and get creative in order to find a buyer.

The job market is no different. Sometimes candidates have the upper hand (remember 1999?) – other times it’s hiring companies who are in the driver’s seat.

The market is what it is. Especially if you’re unemployed, sitting around and waiting for the cycle to turn isn’t an option.

What’s the hiring company's idea of the "ideal" candidate? What can you do to more closely align yourself with that description? There are many things you can do to increase your marketability. Identify them - and make it happen.

The Interview Edge - maximize your professional options

Comments

[BnDResumes]

I remember 1999 very well; in January of that year I made a 180-degree career change. I received interview invites from every company to whom I'd sent a resume (about 10), and was hired at the first interview. I cancelled the rest of the interviews and never looked back. It was definitely a different hiring environment back then...

[Rebecca]

It was totally different, wasn't it? I did a lot of work in the tech sector and routinely had candidates who were considering multiple good offers...one of which would be the one I'd submitted them for. Talk about being in the drivers' seat!