Placement News

Right now, based on the job openings that have been coming through our Placement Committee, it is as if there are two independent groups in the hiring game. If you are seeking a job, your response to these two different groups has to be equally independent as well. In years past, we saw headhunters contacting the Chapter with major positions. Not so right now. In contrast, we've seen and been sending you information on mid-level positions from major corporations and privately owned companies.

For the corporate positions, you often see us post a job description that is involved and can go on for over a page. It may begin with the overall job description including the job title and reporting structure. It will detail a list of responsibilities, objectives and conglomeration of basic skills and knowledge that the successful candidate must bring to the table. And that is just for starters.

If you are responding to such ads, know your information will be going through HR departments first. HR management ensures that every job description released to the public meets pre-set criteria for the whole organization. Further, elaborately detailed procedures and strict compliance with these procedures helps organizations avoid potentials for hiring discrimination charges. The net result may seem like “overkill” especially when you review job descriptions for the publicly traded organizations.

The HR departments will also do most of the initial candidate screening. So ‘hit’ specifics mentioned in the job descriptions in your initial correspondence. If one of the job requirements is seven years of related experience, make it easy for HR to see you have at least seven years of related experience in your resume. Again, the gate keeping function is not necessarily being performed at the security department level. To get there, your paperwork may have to be considered outstanding. In other words, in the estimate of the HR department, your candidacy is worthy of the security department's time and involvement. Tailor your resume and cover letter to get you into that elite group.

Recently, independent, privately owned companies are the other major contingent that has been placing job announcements with the Chapter. Generally, they have been seeking sales or operations personnel. For these positions, it is probably more to your advantage to communicate about results –what you have delivered for former or current employers.

With privately held companies, the company ownership often hires the team directly. The top executives in the firm get involved early in the screening process. These organizations are driven by bottom line considerations, and not just quarterly, but on a daily basis. They don't have a dozen employees to run interference for them. So, if you can ‘cut to the chase’ and succinctly describe why they will want you, you put yourself closer to the top of the pile.

In all cases, be prepared to go through several interviews for the job. Your ability to create a positive first impression over and over is critical, whether you will be meeting clients or interfacing with people in other departments. Don’t be surprised if you answer the same questions on every interview. Consider it a stress test or an “exasperation” test and just handle it in stride.

Do your research on the organization. Be prepared to let them know why you are the best person for the job, over and over—with a smile. Best of luck in your new position!

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