I recently went to a retirement party with my husband for one of his co-workers. I worked at this same place six years ago (that's where I met my husband, but that's another story), so I knew most of the people at the party.
One person I didn't know (I'll call her Jill but that's not her real name) was talking about how bored she is in her current job. She's been with the agency for about three months and is doing administrative work.
"I'm way overqualified for this position," she said. "I used to be an Office Manager. I only took this job because I heard this agency was a good place to work. I know I can get something better."
Jill told me she planned to apply for a new opening at the same agency -- a slightly better-paying administrative position. That position became vacant recently when that secretary retired. It's been filled by a temp for about three weeks.
"I know I'm way more qualified than that temp!" Jill said. "If she gets hired instead of me, I'm going to file a grievance!"
If she hadn't quickly disappeared, I would've given her some advice. If you've ever had the same attitude as Jill, maybe you can use this advice.
First, an employer is not under any obligation to hire the most qualified candidate. They can hire the least qualified candidate, as long as that candidate meets the minimum qualifications stated in the position announcement.
Second, employers are people, and people hire those they like and want to work with. As long as there is no discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, marital status, age, gender, sexual orientation or physical/mental disability, employers can legally hire whomever they want.
The fact of the matter is, a candidate is never hired based solely on her qualifications. A candidate is hired because she convinces the hiring manager that she can do the job and be a positive, enthusiastic, pleasant-to-work-with member of the team.
Someone who is blabbing to co-workers (and strangers!) that she'll file a grievance if she doesn't get hired is unlikely to fit that bill.
If you're thinking of applying for a promotion within your current company, please realize that more than your experience, skills and qualifications will be judged.
What's your reputation? If you're a dedicated team player, great!
But if you're a complainer whom your current boss and co-workers would not miss, you've got some reputation repair work to do first!
Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.Best-Interview-Strategies.com
Perhaps you saw it coming. The fall in company stock... Read More
Think you have gone as far as you can in... Read More
You've got the itch to change jobs. This might be... Read More
Fear in starting a job search is a four letter... Read More
5 tips to win over an executive head hunter or... Read More
A very effective and persuasive tactic when selling something is... Read More
Don't let anyone talk you into going to college when... Read More
Most people at some point in their lives have to... Read More
For decades, women have chaffed at the invisible glass ceiling... Read More
That's not you? Great! Bad habits are hard to break... Read More
INTRODUCTIONThis article will prepare you for the difficult task of... Read More
Mystery shoppers are people who are hired to scrutinize employees,... Read More
Ever wonder if you are in the right career? If... Read More
Here are some of the questions we have been asked... Read More
I remember being asked this question a lot when I... Read More
In Part One we'll look at how Positioning or "Coming... Read More
As an employer I receive many job applications each week.... Read More
In today's marketplace things are constantly changing and so are... Read More
You wake up in the morning, head to work, and... Read More
Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More
Best Strategy using Internet Job Search EnginesThere are hundreds of... Read More
From the moment you are born and you take your... Read More
It's your first month in a new position and it's... Read More
Writing a good resume cover letter is something you should... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that I hated my... Read More
During the job hunter's market of the 1990's, employers were... Read More
One of the responsibilities of a human resources professional is... Read More
When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More
In the rush of everyday work, it can be difficult... Read More
Not everyone is cut out to be a mortgage processor.... Read More
This article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores... Read More
If your current CV or resume is not generating the... Read More
The successful job search is really just a personal marketing... Read More
(Des Moines, Iowa - February 2, 2005) Behaving appropriately during... Read More
1. Select the right type of recruitment partnerDetermine whether you... Read More
Seminars dealing with "special topics" have actually been around for... Read More
You wake up in the morning, head to work, and... Read More
In one short week, the axe fell at a number... Read More
If you are dissatisfied with your job, you are in... Read More
It Is Up To YouSo, you want to get promoted.... Read More
It's no secret that there is a lot of competition... Read More
Perhaps you've found yourself in the position of seeking a... Read More
Despite what many people may say, a job search does... Read More
1. An attractive layout that is easy to read and... Read More
To "sell" oneself on paper is not easy. Creating a... Read More
Disadvantages of Resume SoftwareFormat A large majority of software requires... Read More
Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More
Is your current or most recent job truly what you... Read More
Being dissatisfied with your job is a cycle, a very... Read More
No one should be fired and be surprised about it.... Read More
During the job hunter's market of the 1990's, employers were... Read More
As much as you are yearning for career-change, and as... Read More
If your career has gone off the road, take control... Read More
Several times a year, I hear someone complain about the... Read More
The economy is picking up, budgets are new, positions are... Read More
If you've been in a job search for more than... Read More
Sample resume objectives. When a harried and possibly panicked job... Read More
A study conducted by the Journal of Consumer Research in... Read More
Ask yourself this question: "Do I like what I do... Read More
Half the battle in successfully managing your emotions during a... Read More
Do you leap out of bed in the morning looking... Read More
Want to break into the petite modeling industry but wondering... Read More
May I explain what about what a red ball means... Read More
The attorneys I coach have one common problem. They don't... Read More
Before you go into the interview, it is important to... Read More
We all have career goals, big or small. Here are... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |