Last week a colleague forwarded an article to me by Charlayne Coburn, entitled “Wanted: Someone who really wants to be hired.” In it Ms. Coburn, an HR professional, detailed her experiences trying to fill three vacant positions in a Reno casino. Because of the current economy, Ms. Coburn was expecting it to be “easy” to fill these jobs. What she found was something else entirely. True she started with lots of eager applicants, but then they began weeding themselves out.
From the man who wanted $80 an hour for custodial work to the many candidates who bowed out after finding out they had to pass a drug test, the applicant pool got smaller and smaller. I can summarize most of her experiences under the umbrella of unrealistic expectations. Unfortunately she’s probably not the only HR person who’s been swamped with candidates who don’t research the company, apply for jobs they aren’t qualified for or insist on creating their own hours.
What is it that makes us look at our wants and completely ignore the steps to getting them?
• I want to be a size 2, but I don’t want to change my diet or exercise.
• I want a degree, but I don’t want to study.
• I want to buy a house, but I have no savings and no job.
• I want an executive job, but I don’t want to work hard or do time “in the trenches”.
You get the picture. With hard work and discipline so out of favor right now, it should be easier for people who are dedicated to really stand out. No, I didn’t say EASY, but easier.
First steps…think before you talk, do your homework before interviews and meetings, set goals and make plans. Get what you really want by knowing what’s required.
Getting what you really want—maybe
May 26, 2009 by karensouthw
Liked this a lot. it’s the age of entitlement.
It’s interesting that you mentioned that Karen. I was talking with someone a few months ago, and he was potentially interested in working with me. But I was really hesitant, he never put in the work he needed to. And I kept on hearing him go out late at night with other people to have fun. So even though he wanted to be part of the team, he just never worked for it. And that’s just not real.