19 February 2013
Tell Him He's Dreamin'!
One of the first questions I ask when talking to candidates, and
I talk to a lot, is 'What is your ideal job?'
I ask them where they're working at the moment and what roster
and salary they're on, but these logistical questions are nowhere
near as important as the first. Because let's face it, if I find a
job for you doing exactly what you already do, in exactly the same
place, for exactly the same money, then I'm a pretty bloody average
recruiter aren't I?
Usually people respond pretty well to this question. E.g.
'Michael, I'm looking for a role FIFO out of Perth, Senior Resource
or above, not concerned on commodity, looking for a stable company
to stay for at least a few years.' Perfect. Now I have something to
work with.
What puts the itching powder in my Driza-bone is when the
response comes back, 'Michael, I have 3 months experience in the
field so I'm not looking to do that anymore. I will need a role
that works from my home base in Paraguay and allows me to have a 2
hour nap break during the day. I get tired you know?'
You laugh now. But if only I could share with you just how
unrealistic some people's expectations of the world are! Every time
this happens I have a flashback so clear of the cinematic
brilliance that is The Castle. The movie that brought us the line
"Tell Him He's Dreamin'!" Because if Superintendent wages for
graduate level roles is the expectation then he really and truly
is.
One of the things we take pride in as a nation is that hard work
is rewarded. In fact I'd go as far to say it's unAustralian to ask
for something youhaven't earned.
To be fair this bout of delusion is not limited to people
seeking work. Sometimes, and I know this will make me unpopular,
our clients have some pretty far out there dreams as well.
So is there a productive end to this riddled confusion of a
rant? I'd like to think there is, so let's see if we can draw
one.
A dream is not necessarily a want. A want is not a need. Needs
are subjective.
If you're a client hunting for talent and tired
of hearing these same responses know this - I Muppet check every
single candidate before I send them anywhere near your direction.
If 'He's dreamin' He'll certainly get a wakeup call from me.
If you're hunting for work know this - I will
always tell you what is realistic. Are you aiming to high? Are you
aiming too low? By loosening up your list from your dreams to your
ideals, you might just find a brilliant opportunity.