Random Thoughts on Finding a Job: We Use Short Lists

The next few blog posts will stand alone, unlike the last few, and not constitute a series

This is my story. Recently, I have been authorized to hire a new employee for my day job. I work for a major international, nonprofit organization. So, for the first time in several years, I have been on the hiring end of a job search. Our organization maintains a policy of advertising all openings except for upper level management promotions. Even so, I had a short list of people I’ve considered for any position that opened. I immediately called them and said “I have a new position opening up. You may want to apply if you are interested. I made sure they got interviewed.

3 Reasons Managers Maintain Short Lists

1. People Want to Work with People they Know, Like, and Trust:  Managers want to hire people that have already impressed them. Many times, they hire people inside the company. The also hire people that have impressed them from outside the company

Usually, because they already know

• The person will do the job they want done
• The results, productivity, sales, revenues, and savings the person may generate
• How that person will fit into the work team
• Their capabilities, successes, and potential return on investment

2. Too Much To Lose: The manager, director, or VP have too much to lose if they hire the wrong person. They may lose their:

• Customers
• Best employees
• Productivity and sales
• Reputation and possible promotions
• Job

3. Short Lists Save Time: Hiring someone takes time. It interrupts the work managers need to get done. It distracts our thought processes, organization, and activities. We take less time when we already know who we want to hire.

You Can Still Beat the Short List

You should not resent the short list. You should first try to get on the short list before they are ready to hire. You can still beat the people on the short list by demonstrating you can deliver better results.

Wednesday we will delve deeper into the three things you need to do for the biggest raises

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