It’s time to be better prepared to get the job you want and this involves thinking like your “customer” = your potential employer. By thinking about what each of the people who will interview you will be looking for you can give yourself a competitive edge over other candidates. If you fit all their requirements and interests you have a very strong chance of getting the job and so we could say you passed the “fitness test”. Before we go onto to examine what are the key areas in these fitness tests it is worth noting that, usually, the more senior the job the more extreme the fitness test will be.
Here is a potential fitness list
1. Fit the people who interview you. Can you establish rapport with them, can you relate to their values, have you got the “look” and can you persuade them you will fit in with their style and culture? Many of the interviewers could be in your peer group, if you get the job, and will be looking at you to decide if they can work with you. Do you know their backgrounds, previous roles and employers? Be ready to discuss any common contacts or colleagues where your working history may have crossed with the interviewers.
2. Fit the job role and its requirements. Can you show the type of achievement, skills, experience and knowledge specified in the job role description? Are you able to provide references of previous managers, peers or even customers or suppliers you have worked with? Have you specialist knowledge in areas the job requires?
3. Fit the team you will manage –and the one you will be a member of. What is that team like, what is their experience of leadership so far? What is good about the team that needs to be reinforced and expanded and what are weaknesses and need developing or changing? What was the previous person to do this job’s management style?
4. Fit the organization and culture. What values, behaviours and standards do their people practice? Do many of them come from the same background or previous employer? Interaction with other superiros, peers and colleagues will be conducted based on the organization’s culture; an employer will be looking to see if you will fit into it.
5. Fit your future manager’s requirements. This final area is critical and is most likely to win you the job, how does your future manager want you to report up to them, what is the type of formal and informal interaction that is required of you?
Is this a complete list or are their different areas of fitness we should be aware of?
Richard Lowe
www.lets-begin.com
Catherine Adenle
