| Everyone has job search warts! | | | | contribution. |
| You know what I'm talking about . . . those job search | | | | Hiring managers repeatedly tell us that they never turn |
| warts that are defects in your background. The ones | | | | away a candidate because he/she doesn't have |
| that worry you when you're looking for a new job. | | | | EXACTLY what they're looking for. They understand |
| For example, you may have been fired. Or your | | | | that frequently a candidate will have other valuable |
| career has plateaued or stagnated. Maybe you've | | | | capabilities they weren't looking for. |
| been underpaid or out of work for awhile. Or you've | | | | These hiring decision-makers report that if they have |
| been arrested. Or maybe you're embarrassed | | | | an exceptional candidate in front of them they tend to |
| because you're not competitive with other job | | | | reshape the job. In business this goes on all the time. |
| candidates. | | | | If you think you will be screened out because you don't |
| It could be a hundred different things that you hope an | | | | exactly fit an organization's qualification like a glove, |
| interviewer won't ask about. And we try very hard to | | | | you're sadly mistaken. Most organizations are on a |
| hide it in your resume. Or just plain lie about it. | | | | fishing expedition when they are looking for a job |
| Back in the day your efforts at obfuscation may have | | | | candidate. |
| flown. But not any more. We're living in an era where | | | | It's important to realize that if you suffer from job |
| your background is going to checked and challenged. | | | | search warts (as everyone does) your candidacy is |
| Even your credit and bank account are subject to | | | | not sunk. The mistake we make is to turn defensive if |
| scrutiny not to mention your health record. | | | | a liability is pointed out to us. |
| So you better go in prepared to address your job | | | | But when we get defensive we come across like a |
| search warts. Or risk being passed over. | | | | wimp -- unsure of ourselves, lacking in self-esteem, |
| One of the first things you must understand when | | | | backpedaling and sometimes being downright |
| you're considering a job search is that there is no such | | | | argumentative. |
| thing as the perfect candidate . . . for any job. | | | | So, remember . . . everyone has warts! Most |
| You see, we all tend to be defensive about what we | | | | employers know this and are more interested in |
| DON'T have going for us . . . our problem areas, | | | | learning what you can contribute than what you can't. |
| liabilities, defects, etc. In short, our job search warts. | | | | Be prepared for the tough questions. But be even |
| The bad news is that we screen ourselves out of | | | | better prepared to show ways you can make a |
| opportunities by concentrating on those aspects that | | | | difference to the organization. |
| are mismatched rather than those which could make a | | | | |