Three of my friends got jobs two weeks ago. All three of them had been out of work for over a year and are absolutely thrilled with their new jobs -- jobs that appear to be perfect fits -- where they can be happy and make money.
Coincidentally, the very same week, the Puget Sound Business Journal reported that Seattle has the nation's best economy.
Great news! Things are looking up! There is hope!
On the other hand, I talk to friends and candidates every day who are sounding more and more distraught, depressed, and jaded. If Seattle has the nation's best economy, I'm left wondering how bad it is everywhere else.
What to do?
If you're a hiring manager, understand what you need, move quickly, be decisive, and quit discriminating against the unemployed. Consider not only that that there are some amazing candidates out there who simply drew the short straw, but also that they may be so excited to get back to work that they could end up being your best employees. Your companies are counting on you to fill the jobs, and the world is counting on you to put people back to work.
If you're a candidate, do whatever it takes to take care of yourself so that you can be authentically positive and enthusiastic when you interview. I guarantee it will be the best way to differentiate yourself amongst the living dead of the unemployed, underemployed, jaded, and overworked. In my experience, most hiring managers and business owners want to hire people who are optimistic. They need a boost to their own morale, and, more importantly, it's good for business.
If you have a choice, and you do, please choose optimism. Our collective well being depends on it. And let me know what I can do to help.
Great post, Karina. I love that you've included advice for both hiring managers and candidates and spoke to how both sides of the table can handle the topic of optimism and moving forward in the job hunt. Thanks for sharing.
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