February 2008

Truth 20:  Passion - in fashion?

 

Just in time for Valentine's month, here's an article excerpted from Cathy Fyock's newest (and award-winning) book, The Truth About Hiring The Best.

 

Let's face it. When people talk about what they're really passionate about, they tend to forget everything they learned in the "what to say when you're interviewing" self-help books. All those buttoned-down corporation-speak responses go right out the window as their true excitement lights up their eyes. It can actually be a little scary at times (especially when that excitement reminds you of someone you once knew, yourself maybe?). Don't call the interview to a quick conclusion! Open it up even more to find out what really lights their fire. Then, if the fit seems right, take a deep breath and offer them the job.

 

Find out about the candidate's work-related passions. If candidates today aren't passionate about the industry, the profession, or the company, then you're probably going to be dealing with an employee who will become quickly disengaged and unmotivated once he gets used to that steady paycheck.

 

If you have passionate employees who believe that what they're doing is an essential task, then you have employees who don't need external motivation. They are already wired to do what's necessary to get the job done since the belief exists that the job is Job One in both heart and mind.

 

Most of us want to work with a team of people who believe in their work and believe they can make a difference. These people are easier to manage, especially when you keep showing them how they continue to live a life of purpose through their work.

 

Ask candidates about what gets them excited to come to work.  Ask them to tell you about the last time they were so engrossed in their work that the day just flew by.  Ask them about a time when they woke up and were glad it was Monday and not Friday.

 

See how personally knowledgeable your candidate is about your product, industry, market, or customer base.  For example, those considering a career in the publishing field should be able to talk about the books they're reading and be ready to discuss why they chose these books.  Container Stores intentionally recruit from their own community of regular customers on the theory that anyone who gets excited about organizers and cleaning supplies enough to frequently return to the store would likely be enthusiastic evangelists for the company itself.

 

Or take the example of a receptionist at a law firm who believed she had the most important job in the company. She said that she had always been told that her gifts were a sunny disposition and the ability to make people's day, and that she was in a job that allowed her to use those gifts and make a difference. She said that she had the ability to brighten the day of all the people who visited the firm and who called to speak to one of their attorneys.  That's the kind of person you want on your team.

 

When asking about applicants' last jobs, observe their energy level and animation while talking with you. Are they obviously excited and energetic when talking about their work? Do their eyes light up and get that twinkle of excitement?

 

Ask about candidates' last work assignments, and listen to the words they use to describe their work. Do they talk about how much they love their work?  Do they comment on how they are passionate about what they do for a living?

 

Ask candidates why they want to work for this company, in this department, and in this job. If they can't answer the question, then they probably don't have the passion to do the work. Or if they answer in terms of my career, my salary, my benefits, then you also understand their motivation. Listen for those candidates who have an understanding of their unique gifts and how their gifts and talents can be put to use for a purpose in the work you're providing.

 

 

The Truth About Hiring The Best

Unemployment rates are at record lows, making it even more challenging to find the best employees.  Hiring managers want new, creative ways to recruit and select top employees.  Savvy managers also know they're not just hiring for one open position-they're creating the future for their department and their organization.

 

The Truth About Hiring The Best, written by Employment Strategist Cathy Fyock, is the first easy-to-digest, practical book that dispels the myths about how to identify, recruit, and then select the best people.   Cathy draws upon her experience as a recruiter, hiring manager, and employment consultant in providing "break-through aha's" to help you find the best people for your organization.

 

Anyone who needs to make a hiring decision can benefit from this book-from department managers, to business owners, to HR professionals.  Whether you need to hire one person every five years or 500 people now, this book will help you meet your goals.

 

Available now through Amazon.com

 

Talent matters.  No one denies this fact.  But, there is often a gap between wanting and getting talent.  Cathy Fyock's 53 "truths" provide concrete, practical, and well tested ideas to close the talent gap.  The ideas are reasonable, grounded in research, and actionable.  This is an excellent book for those who pay attention to hiring.  The 53 truths offer a roadmap for doing this important task more effectively.

Dave Ulrich

Professor of Business, University of Michigan

Partner, The RBL Group

 

Selected Engagements from Cathy's Calendar

 

t      February 12, "The Truth About Hiring The Best," keynote and workshop, Louisville SHRM Chapter, Louisville, KY

t      February 16, Job Search Skills Workshop, Presbyterian Seminary, Louisville, KY

t      March 4, "So You Think You Want To Be A Consultant," Employment Guide Job Fair, Lexington, KY

t      March 29, "Writer's Workshop," NSA-KY Workshop, Louisville, KY

 

Looking ahead . . .

 

t      May 6 - 7, "America's Workforce is Coming of Age: Retaining and engaging an aging workforce," Association of Legal Administrators Annual Conference, Seattle, WA

t      June 24, "The Truth About Hiring The Best," Society for Human Resource Management Annual Conference, Chicago, IL

 

 

 

About Cathy Fyock

 

Are you looking for a high-content speaker for your next conference or meeting?  Call or email Cathy to find out how she can work with you to meet your specific goals and objectives.

 

Cathy Fyock, CSP, SPHR, is an employment strategist-helping organizations develop strategies to recruit and retain top talent in an aging and changing marketplace.  For nearly 20 years she has combined her knowledge of work-force issues and her talents as a speaker to provide innovative and inspirational learning events. She has helped organizations attract top talent, reduce turnover, and improve productivity in a volatile labor market.

 

 

Comments from a Recent Presentation

 

t      "Very pertinent information."

t      "She has great energy."

t      "Enjoyed Cathy's session-makes me glad I'm an HR Professional!"

t      "Fantastic!"

t      "Very applicable, good examples."

t      "Loved the stories.  Great learning tool."

t      "Cathy is a great speaker."

t      "It was good to laugh."

 

 

Permission to Reproduce This Newsletter

 

Permission is hereby granted to reprint articles from this report by Cathy Fyock, at no charge, with the agreement that the biographical information be included following each article used. One copy of the publication in which the article is published must be forwarded to Innovative Management Concepts. A fee of $300 per article will be expected for articles published without the biographical and contact information. Please contact us for assistance in editing this article to meet your publication guidelines.