Comments on: It’s a small town

By: Jake Joehl

Jake Joehl — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:13:07 +0000

Hi Anita. VR in this case stands for vocational rehabilitation. Based on my understanding, this is a program which aids in the provision of services such as adaptive technology, orientation&mobility training, and a few other services which help job seekers. However, different states have different criteria for becoming a recipient of these services and the process is at times rather bureaucratic. But in most cases though it makes for a very successful transition into the world of work for people with disabilities.

By: JB King

JB King — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:14:48 +0000

“Being nice” can matter on doing the job and not being nice if the person is being put in a position of authority where the person may have to do not nice things like firing people or reprimanding them. While not a deal breaker, it can be a big factor for whether or not some get hired, IMO.

I had a couple of interviews where in both cases I rattled off a bunch of weaknesses of mine and what kind of work environment seemed to work better for me and what shortcomings I had had at other places to try to communicate where I would excel in helping the business get things done. One company said that “I would be hard to manage” while the other offered me the current job I’m doing where I’m doing good after 7 months on the job.

I wonder if someone is upfront about having an off day, e.g. their car just stopped working, or their grandmother died, if that wouldn’t go a long way to helping compensate for that. We are all human after all and someone that looks too good may get rejected for a position because something seems fishy, e.g. the person gave textbook answers to the questions about the job and has the necessary qualifications but doesn’t quite seem like a human being.

By: FanSince1997

FanSince1997 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:38:33 +0000

I want to clarify … on my comment. Whether the person gets the job and whether the resume goes straight in the trash are two different things, in my view.

The hiring manager should have a chance to see the resume (without the subjective input from the person who has seen the negative behaviour). It could be a personality conflict or anything … I do not intend to “make excuses” for anyone. However, I do want to avoid being dismissive, short-sighted or taking a quick 2D decision.

My concern is to have the best qualified candidates available through the first round. On the second pass, the “soft skills” come into play more, for me.

[I have seen articles on a recent "little brother" surge about recruiters who research and find "unfavourable" info online and deciding whether to offer a candidate an interview ...]

Really, I can swing the ax, if needed. I want candidates to have a fair chance … this leads into the whole video questionnaire concept, too.

Text does not tell the same story as the voice and mannerisms.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:43:29 +0000

Great article! I once had a boss who was very close to the top of a billion dollar retail company. So he was regularly showered with adulation from peers and underlings. Yet he was uniquely focused on speaking with and listening to the folks at the very bottom rung of this company’s ladder. He regularly reminded me that, “It’s nice to be important, but way more important to be nice.” He had learned it from his Mother — a very wise woman!

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:29:46 +0000

I couldn’t disagree more. We always ask for feedback and honesty. How can we complain when we get it?

I had a recent interview that started off similar. The hiring manager started off telling me why I was wrong for the position. He said I
didn’t have the specific experience he was looking for. That was great for me. His comment was to vague so I immediately started to probe him for more detail. I didn’t agree with his assessment so I was able to recover and secured a second interview.

I’ll take cold honesty any day.

By: Nick Corcodilos

Nick Corcodilos — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:14:01 +0000

Great discussion on this thread! What I find most interesting is the two points of view: (1) not hiring someone because they demonstrate an “attitude” and “aren’t nice”, and, (2) focusing on ability versus attitude.

Does it matter if someone can do the job when they aren’t nice? Does “doing the job” require “being nice”?

And, if someone isn’t nice because they have an off day, how do you compensate for that? Whose responsibility is it?

By: Anita

Anita — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:03:52 +0000

Hi there!

What does VR stand for?

BTW, I have to agree on having off days. I went on an interview on Friday and I have forgotten to send a Thank you note to the person. Talk about a DOH! moment.

By: Jake Joehl

Jake Joehl — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:47:26 +0000

I totally agree with the person who brought up the point about everyone having off days. I have them too and I honestly don’t feel good during those days. But I just try to proceed with my life, as opposed to thinking constantly about those off days. Nobody’s perfect except for God or whatever deity one chooses. The nonprofit organization at which I am currently working is disability-related and embraces the idea that all people–including those with disabilities–are different and unique in some way. That was also true of the first nonprofit at which I worked. Everyone has gifts to offer, be it large or small. Regarding not responding to someone, I think this is indeed very rude and it has happened to me before. I can understand it if a person’s phone or email hasn’t been working, for example, and they plainly tell you that. But when somebody flat out ignores repeated attempts at contacting them, I think this clearly shows a blatant disrespect for whomever is trying to contact them. I can remember back when I had my very first VR counselor. There was no voicemail or answering machine at the office. What’s more, this counselor as well as subsequent counselors I had made a habit out of not returning phone calls, or at least not returning them in a timely fashion. Does it seem like I’m treading all over VR in these posts? If so you’d be absolutely correct. I believe what this country’s VR system needs is a major overhaul. But I don’t want to open up Pandora’s box because that’s not necessarily what these forums are all about.

By: FanSince1997

FanSince1997 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:24:45 +0000

Feedback – It’s a small town …

Hi Nick:

Thank you for this article and I agree with the universal need for
pleasant interaction in the “hire-fire-hire” world …

However, did the reader have “good reason” to reject this person?
Isn’t the real question: Was he the best person for the job?
I am not sure that we have the answer to that question.
[I keep thinking that in the digital age we could manage to leave the
name off the qualifications sheet. That’s another story …]

How do we know that this person has never had the feedback
needed to support a more professional tone? I mean, how
do we know that this was not an isolated occasion of brash behaviour?
His wife left him? Hi favourite uncle died? The dog ate his lunch?

I wish to be able to say that I am glossy-and-sharp, always.
However, the reality is … we ALL have days that we don’t
put that best foot forward.

Hopefully, there is some space in the Universe for a few flaws
or off-days because, at least in my case, I need them.

Thanks again for a great newsletter!!!

By: David Hunt

David Hunt — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:17:59 +0000

This reminded me of a specific instance where I’d been VERY rudely treated by a networking contact. I’ve gotten used to the “I don’t know of any jobs” replies, and like replies.

This guy was a real prick in telling me off, and essentially blaming me for my own predicament in no uncertain terms without any sympathy whatsoever.

Lo and behold, a year later, who emails me about my networking group, and requests help with contacts at a company in which I had several very strong contacts? I told him that based on his prior treatment of me when I was in a similar state, I would not help him at all – and advised him that “What goes around, comes around.”

Last I’d heard he was still looking. I feel sorry for his family, but he needed to learn a lesson.