Reflections from an Employer
Though I've only been in my current post for less than a year, I've been part of five job searches for various positions within our department and across campus and seen over 100 candidates in all and over two dozen visit campus. Therefore, though I'd never deem myself an expert in this topic, I do feel more than qualified to comment on a few things I've seen in the last few months:
1. Candidates do not dress up as much anymore as they used to. Sure, they wear suits for the actual interview but back when I was interviewing, I was always taught you dress to impress no matter what. That included your travel and dinner the night before. Slacks and a blazer. Period. I've been amazed at the number of jeans and sweaters and even tennis shoes I've seen!
2. Your suit should not match your teeth color, especially when both are PURPLE! Whatever happened to the standard black or grey suit? Better yet, whatever happened to knowing you HAD to wear a suit no matter what? Not everyone subscribes to that sentiment anymore.
3. Thank You notes shouldn't be optional. I have always been told time and time again (by both my mother and by employers that handwritten thank you notes after an interview are a must!) In fact, for a job I really wanted (but didn't get), I hand wrote over a dozen notes to thank each person I met with throughout the day. For other positions, I wrote them in groups. But still, I wrote them! I'm lucky now to even get an email thank you. For some candidates, nada.
4. Gifts are not necessary. I've received two gifts thus far throughout this process. The first being a shot glass from Texas and the second being a $10 gift card to a local coffee shop in town. I'm not complaining about either (though a shot glass? really? REALLY?) but simply saying the job search is expensive enough without a candidate needing to feel like they have to buy gifts for the employer. Save your money. Please! I feel bad.
5. No matter the setting, you need to mind your manners, and your behavior. I'll admit there are aspects of a job interview (read: food) where the setting is more laid back and casual but you must know you're always being judged. The things you say in a casual setting could come back to bite you. So be on your best behavior and censor, censor, censor!
6. Have a personality for Pete's sake. Professionalism does not equal dull. It's possible to carry yourself professionally while still letting your personality shine. Just because you don't often wear a suit doesn't mean it has to transform you into a walking robot. Do you.
7. Don't complain. If the job isn't even yours yet, don't complain to your potential employer about the things you already know you won't enjoy about it. That makes me want to work with you because?
I feel like I need a #8, 9, and 10 in order to round out this list but sadly, nothing else comes to mind at the moment. So we'll leave it with lucky number 7. If all goes well, today will end our adventure of having candidates on campus. We'll close two current searches and gear up for our new team starting this summer. If all doesn't go well, then we'll most likely bring additional folks to campus and who knows, I may quickly find 8-10.
Cheers.
1. Candidates do not dress up as much anymore as they used to. Sure, they wear suits for the actual interview but back when I was interviewing, I was always taught you dress to impress no matter what. That included your travel and dinner the night before. Slacks and a blazer. Period. I've been amazed at the number of jeans and sweaters and even tennis shoes I've seen!
2. Your suit should not match your teeth color, especially when both are PURPLE! Whatever happened to the standard black or grey suit? Better yet, whatever happened to knowing you HAD to wear a suit no matter what? Not everyone subscribes to that sentiment anymore.
3. Thank You notes shouldn't be optional. I have always been told time and time again (by both my mother and by employers that handwritten thank you notes after an interview are a must!) In fact, for a job I really wanted (but didn't get), I hand wrote over a dozen notes to thank each person I met with throughout the day. For other positions, I wrote them in groups. But still, I wrote them! I'm lucky now to even get an email thank you. For some candidates, nada.
4. Gifts are not necessary. I've received two gifts thus far throughout this process. The first being a shot glass from Texas and the second being a $10 gift card to a local coffee shop in town. I'm not complaining about either (though a shot glass? really? REALLY?) but simply saying the job search is expensive enough without a candidate needing to feel like they have to buy gifts for the employer. Save your money. Please! I feel bad.
5. No matter the setting, you need to mind your manners, and your behavior. I'll admit there are aspects of a job interview (read: food) where the setting is more laid back and casual but you must know you're always being judged. The things you say in a casual setting could come back to bite you. So be on your best behavior and censor, censor, censor!
6. Have a personality for Pete's sake. Professionalism does not equal dull. It's possible to carry yourself professionally while still letting your personality shine. Just because you don't often wear a suit doesn't mean it has to transform you into a walking robot. Do you.
7. Don't complain. If the job isn't even yours yet, don't complain to your potential employer about the things you already know you won't enjoy about it. That makes me want to work with you because?
I feel like I need a #8, 9, and 10 in order to round out this list but sadly, nothing else comes to mind at the moment. So we'll leave it with lucky number 7. If all goes well, today will end our adventure of having candidates on campus. We'll close two current searches and gear up for our new team starting this summer. If all doesn't go well, then we'll most likely bring additional folks to campus and who knows, I may quickly find 8-10.
Cheers.
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