Colleen on Careers

The market has changed. We know the kinds of people we need to address these changes -- and we want the "walk-on-water" candidate with all the Web and interpersonal skills to help us achieve our goals online.
 

RELATED

We can help you with these tips and tailor them to your job search. For more information, e-mail Colleen at ceddy@poynter.org or call her at 727-456-2331. Background on Poynter Career Center Sign up to receive Colleen on Careers by e-mail.

A dose of reality: Ask for too much and you may find that too few candidates respond.

Some ads for online positions list an unrealistic range of qualifications for a single position. For example, seeking candidates who have expertise in PHP and Web development, as well as multimedia production, is asking for a lot.

Instead, focus on what you really need in the person who will fill this position. Define the goals for your new hire and determine the basic qualifications and the top five necessary skills.

Then, after you've determined what you must have in an applicant, think about what the ideal candidate would have. And remember, there is competition for these candidates.

Write the ad in a way that invites responses from candidates, rather than turning them off. What does the newly hired employee need to know on the first day, and what can be learned on the job?

Avoid dumping into the new opening all the things that are not getting done because layoffs left these duties without an owner. Even if you find the "perfect" candidate who has every skill you list, one person is only capable of so much in a 24-hour day.

And realize that a year or two of technical experience is most likely enough if the person has demonstrated strong basic skills. Technology is constantly changing: If a candidate is technically savvy and can learn on the fly, then he or she will be able to acquire the latest skills.

The showstopper, however, is usually a lack of interpersonal skills, a lack of drive, and the inability to learn new skills quickly. These take time to develop -- time you don't have to give a new hire.

You want the person who:

• Is technically savvy
• Learns quickly
  
• Is highly motivated
• Manages change and perseveres
• Has solid knowledge of the Internet
• Understands the importance of content and its value
• Has knowledge of HTML
  
• Has strong interpersonal skills that result in solid communication, teamwork and collaboration 
  

We get what we focus on. Find the best-equipped person to deal with your business, its challenges, and the culture he or she must work in.