Have the results of your job search efforts been less than you think they should be? If so, perhaps you should consider where your approach style fits on the PASSIVE-ASSERTIVEAGGRESSIVE scale.
If anything, most job seekers tend to lean too far toward the passive end of the scale. This is not surprising since this is a difficult time, and to be more passive than assertive protects you from being rejected. I have noticed that during this process, candidates tend to view appropriately assertive behavior as aggressive, and, not wanting to offend, retreat into the passive zone.
In the job search process, being passive is not a reflection of only how much you do, it is a reflection of where you direct the control of the process. You could be sending out 50 letters and resumes a week and still be too passive in your overall approach to be effective.
For example, many job seekers end their cover letters with,…”Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy. I look forward to hearing from you soon.” While this closing may get an “A” for polite good manners, it puts the control into the receiver’s court. It is a passive rather than an assertive or active close: it defers the next step to the reader, instead of the writer.
There are two good reasons to consider an assertive close to your letters. First, it lets the reader know you are a person who takes action, and you are willing to take the steps necessary to meet your goal. Secondly, to write in the letter that you will follow up with a phone call becomes a kind of promise…and therefore a motivator for you to do what y ou need to do to be successful.
Oftentimes, during interviews, candidates are again more passive than assertive, which may ultimately hurt their candidacy. They listen politely, nod their head occasionally, answer the questions asked of them, then go home and wait for an employment offer. This behavior rarely invites a positive response.
Remember, interviewing is a two-way dialogue. If you are not getting the appropriate information you require to evaluate the job and company, you need to be assertive and ASK. This is not being aggressive, or bold. It is a part of the essential information gathering process you need to compete effectively for the job. The company representatives will be impressed with your initiative.
It is important to understand how the decision making process will work, and what the time frames are. This will allow you to follow the process and keep your candidacy in the forefront. It is perfectly okay to ask the interviewer such questions as, “Who will be the decision maker for the final selection?”… “Will there be second interviews?”….”How soon do expect to have your decision made?” or, “When do you hope to have the new person on board?”
With this specific information, you will have the tools to stay in touch with the company in a timely way. For instance, if you know they are going to be interviewing first round candidates for the next week, it would be inappropriate, aggressive and even rude to call in 3 days to ask how your candidacy is coming along. On the other side of the spectrum, to not follow up at all and wait for the outcome is ineffective passive behavior.
The right assertive behavior is this: If they have not contacted you, give the company 2 business days after they say they will be at a decision point. Call the hiring manager (unless you have been told otherwise) and ask if the selection process has been concluded yet. If not, take the opportunity to reiterate your interest and enthusiasm for the position and ask again when you should expect to hear from the company.
While the hiring manager is a busy person, you can respect this fact and still take care of your own agenda by contacting him or her. Many candidates who want to justify their unwillingness to be assertive will make the excuse to themselves, “So-and-so is a real busy person, and I don’t want to bother her. I know that I’ll hear from her when her decision is made.” Excuses, excuses.
If the hiring manager is on the fence, torn in a tie between you and one other candidate, what might be the tiebreaker? Maybe it will be the candidate who expresses interest with a timely call.
Don’t let fear of disapproval keep you from pursuing an offer for the job you want. Learning appropriate and timely assertive behavior can elevate your candidacy to bring you the results you desire.
