So you’ve applied for the perfect role, you know that you can do the job and you really like the company… you go to the interview confident and feeling good about your chances; after the interview when family ask how you went, you reply “yeah good, I feel like I’ve got this”; then you receive the phone call that you’re sweating on only to be told that “I’m sorry you were unsuccessful with your application, there were others whose skills and experiences better suit the requirements of the role”!
WHAT… Wait; how could I not be offered the job, I mean I’m perfect for it right???
Unfortunately recruitment is not an exact science, and given the level of competition for jobs, the recruiter will be sure to seriously consider every aspect of your application, which should help them to choose the most suitable candidate; In fact, they will consider the following three elements:-
Technical Fit… this means, do you have the necessary skills and experiences to perform the duties of the role; are you able to start working with a minimum of instruction; can the employer sit you at your workstation and expect you to get on with the job. Having the technical fit will give the company satisfaction that you can be competent in completing the tasks.
Motivational Fit… this means, what is the thing that motivates you about this job/working for this company; are you motivated by the company, the industry, the location of the office, the products; or are you motivated by the money or the perks of the job? Having the right motivation for the job will come out during the interview…
I remember when working in the airlines, the first question most applicants would ask was “how long till I can get discounted flights”? This suggests that the applicant was more interested in what benefits they could get, rather than the work they are to do.
Cultural Fit… this means, do you fit into the culture of the company, will you fit in with not only your workmates, but with the beliefs of the business. This is perhaps the most important aspect of working for an organisation… you could be the most competent worker and is highly motivated to be there, but you don’t connect with your colleagues, and you become miserable and unable to do the job!
Not having the right Cultural Fit, is not a problem with who you are or what work you can do; it simply means that, like with any group of people, some you get on with and some you don’t!
This is an issue that you as the applicant must also consider; you spend a lot of your time at work, and you want to be able to enjoy that time with the people around you... of course that doesn’t mean that you have to be best friends with everyone, but it is important that you can work in a friendly/welcoming environment.
When applying for any position, be it casual, part time or permanent, it’s a good idea to consider these three elements. It is important that you have seriously considered whether you can do the work required of the role, you have seriously considered what will make you jump out of bed every day to go to work, and you have seriously considered whether you and the company will get on.
It is perhaps easier said than done, but if you can take some of the emotion out of the recruitment process and consider these three elements, you may find the recruitment process a little less daunting and you may even understand it just a little better…
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