Employment edition: tips on attracting your perfect match

In the modern War for Talent, both the employer and the employee need to “have butterflies,” so to speak, if a working relationship is going to last. If a company hires someone they are “iffy” about from the start, there’s a solid chance the arrangement won’t last. Similarly, if an employee takes a job they are on the fence about, there is also a good chance it won’t be a good fit.

So, how do we avoid this cycle of hiring the wrong people, accepting the wrong job offer, and essentially wasting everybody’s time? While there’s no such thing as a “sure thing” when taking a new job or sending out an offer letter, there are certainty steps both parties can take to ensure they're attracting a good match and lower the risk of ending up in a potentially undesirable situation.

Here’s some advice on attracting a good match for you:  

Tips for Employers and Hiring Managers:

Know what you want: Know the skill sets you’re looking for and make sure your job description is well thought out and precise. This will limit the number of resumes you receive that totally don’t match what you’re looking for.

Be realistic: “Unicorn” candidates are few and far between - perhaps even nonexistent. If you want someone with a massive skillset, you’re going to have to pay market-value for that kind of hire. If your budget doesn’t allow you to pay at market, you will have to adjust your job description accordingly.

Pay competitively: Don’t lose out on top talent because you’re not pricing jobs correctly. If you find a good candidate, use Salary.com’s CompAnalyst to market price with confidence and ensure you are paying competitively and equitably.

Tips for Job-Seeking Employees:

Be honest: Make sure your resume does not misrepresent your skills. Being honest about what your skill set is crucial to finding a job. If get hired based on falsehoods, eventually it will be clear you were dishonest when you aren’t able to perform the responsibilities.

Do your homework: Research companies you want to work for and see if it looks like a good fit. It’s a waste of time to apply aimlessly. Have a plan and take action.

Use technology to aid your job search: Utilize job seeker apps to aid in your search. Half the battle is timing - get alerted to jobs that open quickly and get a leg-up on the competition.

Know your worth: Use Salary.com to find out your market value. Don’t sell yourself short, or expect a salary way hire than the median market value – this will leave you disappointed.