What’s the most important day of the week for the 50+ job seeker?
➔ Compare the time continuum with the average job search and you might expect that the most important segment is the job seeker’s past performance. Certainly there is some truth to that position. Your resume is replete with former jobs and companies; past performance; how well you did on your last job, etc. That’s all very important, but…
The view from the other side of the desk
Absolutely the hiring manager or person conducting your interview is interested in your past. They want to know how well you performed; how you got along with your former co-workers and supervisors, etc. But as most mutual funds admonish: past results are no guarantee of future performance.
When you get right down to it, what the prospective employer is really interested in is not yesterday, but tomorrow, the future. What you did for your past employer is all well and good but “What are you going to do for me going forward?”
That’s what’s going to separate you from the other candidates. If I hire you, how will you help me? How will you solve my problem? Someone once made the comparison that employers have headaches and they’re looking for pain relief. Are you going to be their aspirin?
What goes around, comes around
As much as your prospective employer cares about tomorrow, so should you – the job seeker. How are you going to adapt to tomorrow’s workplace? Job seeking isn’t the only thing that’s changing. Work itself is going through many, many contortions. Will you be ready for tomorrow?
What can you now, today, to make yourself ready for tomorrow? Are there classes you need to take? Certifications to be acquired? Do you need to update your skills in any areas which will make you more appealing to an employer? All of these things are signs that you are interested in the future; that you’re not someone content to stand pat.
You’re thinking about tomorrow.
Comments