Represented my company at a job fair today...
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Represented my company at a job fair today...
Some know that I am a financial advisor for a major Wall Street Firm. While I don't currently act in a managerial capacity, I have all of the required supervisor/manager's licenses and have done that before. So I was asked to represent the company at a major job fair in the La Jolla (UTC area to be exact) area of San Diego.
I interviewed and reviewed the resumes of quite a few young (and some not so young) men and women. In general, I thought the quality of interested persons was fairly high. There were A LOT of I.T. professionals looking to make career changes. There were also a lot of recruiters and head hunters looking for something different.
I did feel that a lot of the applicants, while very bright and personable, would not have the work ethic necessary to be successful in the business. Our firm is hiring less due to the slow stock market/economic environment, and is looking for quality and not quantity.
It was obvious to me that the job market has tightened a lot. Still, I had a nice time talking to the applicants, and I did talk to a few who I thought had some decent potential. There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and overall I had an enjoyable and interesting day.
I interviewed and reviewed the resumes of quite a few young (and some not so young) men and women. In general, I thought the quality of interested persons was fairly high. There were A LOT of I.T. professionals looking to make career changes. There were also a lot of recruiters and head hunters looking for something different.
I did feel that a lot of the applicants, while very bright and personable, would not have the work ethic necessary to be successful in the business. Our firm is hiring less due to the slow stock market/economic environment, and is looking for quality and not quantity.
It was obvious to me that the job market has tightened a lot. Still, I had a nice time talking to the applicants, and I did talk to a few who I thought had some decent potential. There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and overall I had an enjoyable and interesting day.
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Brad, what was the indicator... (more)
that certain individuals wouldn't have the work ethic required for the job? I'm always curious about the ways in which opinions are formed on the other side of the interviewing or meeting table. For example, I have a very strong east coast work ethic myself-- but I can't be sure that comes through on paper or in a short meeting. Thanks for your thoughts.
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Re: Brad, what was the indicator... (more)
Frankly, a lot of it comes down to my gut feeling. I'll ask questions about how they feel about cold calling, how they'll build their business, what are their strengths and weaknesses etc. I go with my gut along with their answers.
If they spend too much time dwelling on the salary and what we'll do for them, that's a bad sign. We're looking for self-starters. Motivated individuals who will pay their dues and build a business/career. We're not looking for someone looking for a job who wants to "play" stockbroker and show up with suspenders and the Wall Street Journal waiting for the phone to ring.
I'm also not interested in those who will solely build their buisiness from networking. It will take a lot more. Many friends and contacts will talk the talk until it comes time to write the check or sign the papers, then they will fail to follow through. Frankly, that's even happened to me here, thought obviously I would never name names, either here or privately.
If they spend too much time dwelling on the salary and what we'll do for them, that's a bad sign. We're looking for self-starters. Motivated individuals who will pay their dues and build a business/career. We're not looking for someone looking for a job who wants to "play" stockbroker and show up with suspenders and the Wall Street Journal waiting for the phone to ring.
I'm also not interested in those who will solely build their buisiness from networking. It will take a lot more. Many friends and contacts will talk the talk until it comes time to write the check or sign the papers, then they will fail to follow through. Frankly, that's even happened to me here, thought obviously I would never name names, either here or privately.
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More tips...
We had one woman show up in shorts with her pierced navel exposed. Sorry, but it ain't gonna happen. There were a fair amount of punky haircuts. Probably won't happen there either, though I had a punky cut myself way back when. Still, I wouldn't show up for an interview at a professional firm looking like Johnny Rotten.
It won't happen for someone who seems unsure of what they want. I also like someone who thinks big. They have a vision of where they want to be someday, and some actionable ideas of how they are going to get there. A niche also helps. For example, if you are fluent in a foreign language and have strong ties to that community, that could be a plus.
I also like to see that an individual has done some homework. They know about our firm, about the business, about trends within the industry. That shows geniune interest, rather than someone fishing for a paycheck to pay this month's rent.
Using too much slang or vulgar language also isn't good. Also, women who dress too suggestively or flirt are out in my book. Back when I was a cop, women would flirt with me to try to get out of a ticket. Personally, I found that offensive. Flirting is not a natural reaction under those circumstances, and I found that to be insulting.
Good luck and get a haircut! ;-)
It won't happen for someone who seems unsure of what they want. I also like someone who thinks big. They have a vision of where they want to be someday, and some actionable ideas of how they are going to get there. A niche also helps. For example, if you are fluent in a foreign language and have strong ties to that community, that could be a plus.
I also like to see that an individual has done some homework. They know about our firm, about the business, about trends within the industry. That shows geniune interest, rather than someone fishing for a paycheck to pay this month's rent.
Using too much slang or vulgar language also isn't good. Also, women who dress too suggestively or flirt are out in my book. Back when I was a cop, women would flirt with me to try to get out of a ticket. Personally, I found that offensive. Flirting is not a natural reaction under those circumstances, and I found that to be insulting.
Good luck and get a haircut! ;-)
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excellent advice about knowing the business
I do a lot of interviewing for my company and find it amazing that people will apply for a job helping to build our website when they clearly haven't even used the site.
It's not about sucking up, it's about understanding what you're getting in to, and as Brad points out, having a real world idea of what it's like to work for a living.
It's not about sucking up, it's about understanding what you're getting in to, and as Brad points out, having a real world idea of what it's like to work for a living.
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Brad Thanks for the input, figured as much from my search in my segment of the IT market
I still can't believe that some companies are doing the "we're just looking" routine. What a waste of time for both sides (I'm not saying that you guys were doing that, sounds like you have a real need which is very specific).
-Dale
-Dale
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