How to Hone in on Direction in the Interviewing Process

In the job search process, it's important to consider what your ideal offer and workplace would be. When a hiring manager asks where you want to be in 5 years, they are trying to gauge if you are a good fit for the needs of the company and ensure you are not jumping from industry to industry and in a "specific position for a specific time" kind of mentality. Remember that just because you were rejected for a position or choose not to accept a new role that it doesn't necessarily mean that you did anything wrong or have failed but could be that you're lacking direction / guidance. Here are some tips we've assembled to help you discover what companies might be a better fit for you and narrow down what kind of role might be a better fit for you.
 
Humble Your Ego
 
While this may seem a bit hard to grasp when we look at a generic job description for a company that seems like the perfect fit, often times the selection process goes deeper than "having the required skills." Understanding that you may not be the best candidate for the role they are looking to fill and trying to interpret where your downfalls were are the first steps to understanding how to move forward.
 
Did you mention wanting growth opportunities? Did you speak about your previous employer in a negative tone? Did you clearly speak on your previous experience and how that might benefit the company? These are a few examples of reasons a client may pass on you as a potential candidate. While mentioning growth opportunities may seem like a wonderful idea, it's important to consider the needs of the client beforehand...do they want someone eager for growth or will this deter them for fear you may not be excited enough about the role? Interpreting what the client wants is essential during the interview to better gauge how to position yourself as a candidate.
 
Check for Experience Similarities / Differences
 
An open role with a generic job description that somewhat fits your experience does NOT mean it is the right job for you personally. What are some of the challenges you might face in this role? What are some of the benefits (financial compensation, company culture, etc.) that attracted you to the role? What is one of the most important aspects of a new role for you -- growth, culture, ownership of your work, team environment, etc.? This will help you narrow down what kind of companies to target based on your personal needs or desires for a new role.
 
HELP! How Can I Find the Right Position for Me?
 
You're in luck! This is exactly our expertise! We have over 50 years of combined staffing experience in guiding candidates towards the right client relationship that fits best with their experience and desires! Our passion is helping take you to the next level professionally while simultaneously helping our clients succeed in progressing their business to the next level as well!