Career Conversations with Stephanie C. Harper  

Our Career Conversation topic was: How to anwer the question: WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU?  Essentially, we learned not to say "hardworking, dependable, result-oriented, fast learner and a team player" because it does not answer the question.  Not to mention, the HR Professional or Hiring Mangers have heard that same "scripted" response from 100's of applicants and they want to know specifically about you.  So qualify youself, tell them EXACTLY why they should hire you. What skills do you have that apply to the position you are interviewing for?  How will those skills add value to the employer?  Why should they choose you over the other 100's of candidates who have the same skill, the same education and the same experience?

The ah-ha moment happened when we got a call from an entrpreneur who thought this was a GREAT TOPIC, but it didn't apply to them.  Well I beg to differ.  Here's a few like comparisions between a job seeker (JS) and an entrepreneur (ENT):

• JS: sends a resume with skills and ability for a particular area or field
• ENT: send a flyer or packet with skills and ability for a paticular area or field
• JS: Seeks a face to  face interview to talk about what they can do
• ENT:  Seeks to get a 1-1 meeting to talk about what they can do
• JS: Wants to be paid fairly for their skills, knowledge and expertise
• ENT: Wants to be paid fairly for their skills, knowledge and expertise

Whether working for an employer or a client, the bottom line is: BOTH ARE SAYING....HIRE ME!!  So what's the difference?  There is no difference in both situations, you have to be able to convice the employer or client THEY SHOULD HIRE YOU!!

For more insight on this topic, pick up Stephanie's book WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU?

www.StephanieHarper.com

We also had a caller from Ohio (hey Keith!!) who tells his students to go around Human Resources and go straight to the hiring manager.  So Keith, here's my question: WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU TELL YOUR STUDENTS TO OFFEND THE PERSON WITH THE FINAL SAY IN THE HIRING DECISION?  The HR Manager usually conducts the reference, background or criminal check.  It's easy to say "something came up in their background and we are not able to hire them at this time".  In many instances, we take everything into consideration, but sometimes when the power is in your hands, you use it to your advantage.  HR Professionals are people too! Along with our training, one of the main sources we rely upon is intuituon (gut feelings).  A bad vibe could equal a bad hire, why take the risk?  And what about down the line if there's a disciplinary issue.  If you have offended me, and you didn't need me to get in, why do you need me now to say? Again, HR Professionals are people too!  Yeah, Human Resources is a force to be reckoned with.  So Keith, tell your student to go to the hiring manager first...and then follow up with Human Resources (wink). 

SCH