The Employer Perspective

Generally, employers aren't in the business of career development. Although many employers are interested in the career goals of their employees, the needs of the organization are their first priority. For a successful job search, match your skills and goals to the needs of the employer.

Matching Skills to Employer Needs
You don't have to match all of the skills needed for an occupation to pursue that occupation. The best candidates for a job rarely match all of the requirements of an employer.

Many factors go into the hiring process, including personality and motivation. The most successful job seekers may not be the most qualified. Those who demonstrate the desired qualities sought by employers are the ones who will ultimately succeed.

Strategies for identifying the skills employers desire are similar to those for identifying your own skills. The goal is to learn as much as possible about the industry, occupation and employer.

Position descriptions, industry and company literature, employment advertisements and Web sites are all sources of information. You may also draw on the knowledge of your contacts, conduct informational interviews or participate in Internet discussion groups.

Here’s how one job seeker named Rita assessed her own skills:

• Rita was considering retail sales as an immediate job goal. Her research showed that retail employers require good customer service skills. Customer service was not a skill that she identified.
• Her past employment as an inventory clerk in a warehouse required little customer contact. Yet, in that job she coordinated the distribution of inventory to several departments and worked very closely with staff. This work experience, along with her volunteer experience as a school fundraiser, demonstrated excellent customer service skills.

The Mature Worker
If you’re a mature worker, you've already achieved many of your career objectives. Mature workers have multiple skills they've learned through their many years of on the job and through the volunteering they may have done.

You're in charge of your career. You've adapted to many changes and now you can use this to your advantage. Mature workers bring to the job many assets that younger people haven't yet acquired. You're reliable and have experience, multiple skills and a strong work ethic!

Mature workers often hear the phrases "you're overqualified" or "you wouldn't be interested in this job." You must identify the benefits you bring to the workforce, thus making you the best candidate.

The important thing isn't where you are, but where you're going.