Firstly, well done NZ! Looks like we’re powering through the vaccines. Over 4m doses have been administered, with 33% of kiwis fully vaccinated and a positive 75% either having the first jab or booked in. I doubt that without this lockdown we would be anywhere need these numbers. Not saying we owe anyone a thank you card but it’s not really been all that bad. A client of mine reminded me that the big difference between this lockdown and the first L4 one; there are loads of jobs about. Candidates, as always, are still a bit thin on the ground. Let’s delve into this week’s topic without the usual three paragraphs of whimsy.
The Y isn’t just a place that has everything for men to enjoy, where you can hang out with all the boys. It’s an important question when exploring your candidate’s reasons for looking for a new opportunity. But like leaving a YMCA in the late ’70s there will undoubtedly be things that people choose to omit. This isn’t due to anything nefarious, just that candidates have to fit into a few boxes when it comes to their ‘why’ – money, promotion, industry being the cleaner cut of the reasons. Some are more nuanced. It could be the arrival of a new colleague or the leaving of an old one, the introduction of KPI’s or even a change of layout in the office depriving you of your view. As is often the case it could be bits of each. A comment made by a colleague or the strategy of a managing consultant could be just another brick in the wall of a decision.
Recruiters are ultra-aware of what their own pitch could look like. They get introspective during a recruitment process, I often hear; I don’t want to be one of ‘those’ candidates like we’re in a Dickens novel ghoulishly observing them from a removed perspective. They know that worrying about an incoming consultant could be perceived as a lack of competitive edge or a fall out with a manager shows that you’re not a team player. For a candidate to move in the current market their why needs to have shades of all of the above. If that’s the case then being upfront with your reasons for looking is crucial in finding your next position. If the reason for leaving their current role isn’t succinct then doubt is cast immediately, there’s also less confidence placed in you when it’s time to actually pull the trigger. Of course, like any stable relationship you’re entitled to your secrets. If everyone went around telling the whole truth it would be less like the film Liar Liar and more like Kinji Fukasaku’s seminal work Battle Royale. It’s super common to for people not to bag on their employer too. Don’t get me wrong I agree with that, to an extent. However, if your boss is an asshole it’s ok to say it because when you start exploring that, you get more info on what culture/leader would be appropriate for this candidate. It’s also important to remember that someone’s primary why doesn’t necessarily trump all factors
For example, if a candidate’s reason for looking for a new role is they feel intellectually stagnated in their current position. They’ve learned everything there is and are at a crossroads; continue on this path or upskill in a new role? The why is rooted in wanting a new challenge. However, this does not discount other factors. Cash is still king and Auckland is an expensive as city to live in, especially if you dream of one day owning a small part of her. In this instance, there is usually an acknowledged trade-off, an appreciation for what you will gain vs what you will bring to the table. Recruiters can sometimes be guilty of joining dots and creating a narrative; don’t think that just because a candidate is moving specialism/industry that they won’t expect an increase in salary. I was almost certain that I’d subconsciously picked this up from somewhere but after reaching the 3rd page of Google I’m pretty certain I’ve coined this phrase. “Some years you earn and some years you learn” (Scott Burnett, 2021) As is often the case, the time spent learning often has a big impact on your earnings in the subsequent years.
So, be clear on your reasons, don’t skimp on details that are important to you, and if you have more than one reason to leave make it known. To be fair if you have more than one reason to leave you probably shouldn’t be where you are. 😊
