Thursday, June 08, 2006
"Advancement and Stability?"
What's So Bad About "Opportunity For Advancement and Stability?"
Expressing the fact that we crave both opportunity for advancement and stability in our paychecks seems innocent enough. In fact, many of us feel entitled to these guarantees as though they were included in the Constitution. Well candidates, beware! Should this be the best you can do in response to a question, chances are you will not make the cut to the next interview.
Here's why:
In challenging times companies are hiring because they have a desperate need for someone to fill the hole in the dam so the waters don't come rushing in. The opening for which you are being considered occurred when Mr. Jones was let go for lack of performance, Mr. Smith resigned to move to Jekyll Island or Ms. Lacey decided she didn't want to travel.
So, we now fast-forward to your interview. Pre-occupied with how many of his customers will seek the competition because their delivery time has now been compromised with the exit of Mr. Smith, the interviewer, with far more pressing things to do than chat with you, must fill his opening and asks the burning question, "Why do you want to work for our company?"
With high levels of enthusiasm you respond, "Because I want opportunity for advancement and stability." For this empty request, (who doesn't want opportunity for advancement and stability?) your salary requirement is merely $50,000, $75,000 or six figures. Even at $6 per hour, you have given this employer no reason to buy!
Remember people don't purchase a Mustang to increase the profits of Ford; they don't open an account at Bank of America to help Manager makes his quota and they won't hire you to provide you with opportunity for advancement or stability. Offer your interviewer solutions! With foresight, insight and good career planning you can guarantee your own opportunity for advancement and stability.
Expressing the fact that we crave both opportunity for advancement and stability in our paychecks seems innocent enough. In fact, many of us feel entitled to these guarantees as though they were included in the Constitution. Well candidates, beware! Should this be the best you can do in response to a question, chances are you will not make the cut to the next interview.
Here's why:
In challenging times companies are hiring because they have a desperate need for someone to fill the hole in the dam so the waters don't come rushing in. The opening for which you are being considered occurred when Mr. Jones was let go for lack of performance, Mr. Smith resigned to move to Jekyll Island or Ms. Lacey decided she didn't want to travel.
So, we now fast-forward to your interview. Pre-occupied with how many of his customers will seek the competition because their delivery time has now been compromised with the exit of Mr. Smith, the interviewer, with far more pressing things to do than chat with you, must fill his opening and asks the burning question, "Why do you want to work for our company?"
With high levels of enthusiasm you respond, "Because I want opportunity for advancement and stability." For this empty request, (who doesn't want opportunity for advancement and stability?) your salary requirement is merely $50,000, $75,000 or six figures. Even at $6 per hour, you have given this employer no reason to buy!
Remember people don't purchase a Mustang to increase the profits of Ford; they don't open an account at Bank of America to help Manager makes his quota and they won't hire you to provide you with opportunity for advancement or stability. Offer your interviewer solutions! With foresight, insight and good career planning you can guarantee your own opportunity for advancement and stability.
