Avoid the "Square peg in a round hole" Syndrome
Summer is here and it is HOT, HOT, HOT. It is only appropriate that
I share a hot topic with you among hiring managers and recruiters.
As I continue to provide suggestions related to networking, I'll share
some concerns voiced by hiring managers and recruiters across the
country. I'm going to give you the inside scoop.
One frustration that I hear frequently is unintentional (possibly
sometimes intentional) misrepresentation of an applicant's
ability and experience. As professionals we all know, and agree, that
it is not acceptable to fabricate a resume.
I often hear hiring mangers and recruiters say they dislike candidates
who insist they can do the job when they clearly do not have the experience
or skills.
Let me give you some common examples:
Recently a hiring manager had a Registered Dietitian (RD) call about
a very specialized position. The RD insisted that although she had
been in real estate for the last 10 years she could hit the ground
running in a high acuity hospital specializing in a variety of diseases.
As the conversation continued, the RD revealed that she did not know
what a nutrition care process was but continued to insist she could
hit the ground running. This is a misrepresentation (possibly misunderstanding)
of her actual abilities; at minimum she was trying to put a square
peg in a round hole. It just was not the right fit. This is not
an effective way to network for potential opportunities.
Another common example:
I often hear from hiring managers that entry level RDs insist they
have the experience for a specialized position posted which specifically
requires three or more years of experience or requiring management
experience. Recently a candidate that was RD eligible insisted that
she had two years of experience. In reality, she had been completing
her applied practice and Master's degree the past two years. This
did not translate into two years of applicable experience for the
position she wanted. She was trying to put a square peg in a round
hole and it was not an affective way to network for potential opportunities.
She may have tarnished her reputation down the line with that company
or hiring manager.
In these scenarios (and many others), a more affective approach
would be to identify that it is not the right opportunity and ask
the hiring manager or recruiter to keep you in mind for other opportunities
and possibly share your resume with other recruiters or hiring mangers.
To avoid misrepresenting yourself, be sure that you understand the
job description and only continue to present yourself as qualified
if you are truly qualified as defined by the job description. That's
also good networking!
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