B.C. Municipal Recruiting Report

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February 2010 Vol 4 Issue 2
Falling in love... 
... with an applicant
Greetings!
 A number of years ago the popular CBS program 60 Minutes presented a segment that featured a test to find out what impact a person's looks might have on a job interview.  
They set the stage by hiring four actors, two men and two women...one man and one woman were very attractive, but without any real employment skills - we'll call them 'Ken and Barbie'. They were instructed to present themselves as candidates who aside from their looks didn't have a whole lot going for them.
 
The other two were of average appearance, but were to present themselves as having all sorts of proven talent and education - call them 'John and Jean Average'.
 
The 60 Minutes director followed this by arranging several separate job interviews for each of Ken and Barbie as well as both John and Jean. Unknown to each hiring manager the interviews were being secretly taped.
 
You probably won't be surprised to learn that invariably Ken and Barbie were greeted enthusiastically. There was always lots of laughing and joking and not a whole lot of interviewing going on before they were being asked "when can you start?"  
The interviewer assumed they would be great for the job based on how they looked.
 
By contrast their exceptionally qualified - but average looking counterparts, received a lukewarm reception. The interviewers seemed almost bored as they more or less sleepwalked through a series of questions without much emotion. "We'll get back to you" was the usual windup.
 
Hiring by first appearances, as shallow as it seems is a shockingly common mistake many managers make.  Why? First, research proves managers are not necessarily skilled interviewers nor do they always make correct judgments based on interviews. Second, job hunters know interviewing tricks that can 'knock your socks off'.
 
3 Actions of a well rehearsed candidate

Here are three actions a well-rehearsed applicant uses to make a manager 'fall in love' with them. The applicant 
 
1. enters the room with a big smile, looks the manager in eye, and gives a nice handshake
2. compliments the manager's office or a memento in the manager's office
3. makes the manager laugh or smile within in the first 120 seconds

After 'falling in love' with and hiring the super-charmer, a manager may feel foolish... it reminds me of the lyrics of Dierk Bentley's song: "I know what I was feelin' But what was I thinkin' ?"

'Falling in love' for all the wrong reasons is why we invented ASK™
ASK™ is a creative and powerful selection procedure. It includes a unique questioning approach plus a trademarked process. It empowers our clients to always select the 'right person' for any job from within a group of 'ideal candidates'.
ASK™ is comprehensive without being complex. Helpful without taking from your control. Simple and easy-to-use, without being simplistic.
ASK™ is available to you as a stand-alone selection process to ensure that you discover the 'best person' from a group of potential candidates you find for one of your open positions.
And Your Results Are Guaranteed
You can work with ASK™ on a guaranteed basis. We guarantee the candidate you select using ASK™ for a full year as part of the "Ravenhill Full Search Process™".

So, you've got nothing to lose! And everything to gain!!
3 LESSONS ... 
from Ken & Barbie and John & Jean
 
1. Never 'fall in love' with a charming, well-rehearsed job applicant. 
 
2. Pre-employment tests - customized for jobs in your municipality - are the most accurate way to predict if an applicant is likely to succeed in your city.
 
3. Fast
-track hiring wastes money and time when you fail to hire the best. 
 
Ravenhill Group is uniquely positioned as an 'ethical head-hunter' who will bring you the cross-Canada acclaimed  ASK™ Full Search Process or  ASK™ Assessment & Selection Process.
 
Call or write
Bruce Malcolm today for a free assessment of your future challenges and an outline of what sets us apart to better assist you develop a workable plan ...now!
 
 
We Are Looking For!
  
We need people to fill the role of:
  • Town Manager Western Canada,
  • CAO Western Canada
  • Manager Recreation Western Canada
  • Manager Roads Western Canada
  • Director of Corporate Services Ontario
 Confidentially:: We are aware of 2 outstanding CAOs who are waiting patiently for the 'right' opportunity...
 
ALSO, we know a Senior Planner in Alberta who wants to return to Ontario.

Contact Bruce

Experience You Can Trust

 

Backofhead

Bruce Malcolm
 
Thank a Baby Boomer!
 
 
 The time of the  the baby boomer generation is considered to be the turning point of the political and cultural status of Canada.
 
This is because baby boomers came of age during the 1960s and 70s.
 
They were the ones who fought for more freedom and against discrimination.
 
Politically, baby boomers are major contributors to the things that made Canada what it is today.
 
Canada is freer and thanks to the baby boomers, there is little discrimination in employment, regardless of race, creed, gender and age.
 
So, if it's easier to find work particularly if you are visible minority or a female, thank a baby boomer.
 
Let's face it life is better because of the baby boomer  generation
  

Some News Letters From Our Past

   
 January 2010

Carnack

 
May 2009

staff

 
July 2009
 
 Backofhead
 

5 More Ways to Keep Your Staff Happy

 

December 2009

Backofhead

Be Careful The Fox Is In The Hen House

   We never recruit from our clients EVER !

BRUCE

What Our Clients Say:

 
"Not only did you deliver the best person for the job but you did what you said and when you said you'd do it! Next time we would call you first!"
Diane Rogers City of Prince George BC 
 
. . .you are a "straight shooter" and that goes a long way with me."
Bob Panizza Town of Aurora, ON 
 RAVENHILL GROUP INC. Canada's Municipal Recruiting Specialists
 Toll Free: 1-877-830-0500
 "Stop Searching Start Finding"