As someone who has written up many job descriptions, what do you
think I’m looking for? I’m looking for the perfect candidate, just like
every other hiring manager and recruiter. The chances that I will find the
perfect candidate are always slim. As I talked with fellow unemployed
individuals, I discovered that many people read job descriptions and gave
up without any further action. They made no call to the recruiter or hiring
manager, and chose not to fill out applications for positions they were
actually qualified for. Mary LaFontaine, who works for the Maine Career
Center said, “Apply if you meet more than 50 percent of the job description.”
It is not an exact science or math equation. If you feel that you
meet enough of the criteria, then go for it. Even if the “requirements”
are not fully met, you should take a serious look at applying. I am realistic
enough to know that perfect candidates most likely don’t exist, but
qualified candidates do. The ones who take the most shots increase their
chances significantly. A colleague in the sales world used to say, “If one
in ten buy, and you are only asking/offering to one in fifty…it’s going to
take you a long time to get that ten who say yes.”
Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):
- Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
- Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
- Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
- The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
- From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
- The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood
See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com. Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com
MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby