(Book E5) The Job Hunt College: In the mind of the employer

‘Career development book for health professionals’

In the mind of the employer, what does he really want? I often ask myself this mystifying question. After my university education, I was faced with the challenge of finding an answer to this same question, ‘What does the employer really want’? I knew that in order to get the employer sign up a contract with me, I have to meet his standards not my standards.

So what are the standards of the employer?

Do they differ from each hospital?

To answer this question, I made a courtesy call on some hospital administrators and human resource managers. Some were very frank with me whiles others were not willing to share.

I will like to present my findings the odd way by first telling you what the employers don’t usually seek for before I tell you what they want in the next chapter.

1. Certificates

The first thing you must know is, the employer does not need your certificates, or your qualifications. That may sound ridiculous but that is the truth out there. Your certificates and your qualifications mean nothing to him no more. He is looking for something else!

Your certificates and qualifications are meaningless to him because, to him, it’s the basic criteria you need to meet in order to submit an application to him. That is the best your certificates and qualifications can offer you. On no account will an accountant submits an application for the position of a nurse; neither will a physiotherapist submits an application for the position of a doctor.

Your certificates and qualifications only qualify you to send an application letter but do not qualify you for a job. That is what 2, 3, 4 or 6years of education can offer you.

The employer is looking for something greater than your certificates. Don’t forget that there are thousands of job searchers trooping in with same qualification every day.

2. Your Personal Traits

No personal traits of yours can offer you employment. Talk of your beauty, your accent or your age: they all can’t get you a job. None of these things can convince your potential employer to offer you that dream job. I’m often shocked when some individuals come to the interview table trying to speak like deported English. It rather makes you look more horrible.

One of the secret in winning the heart of your potential employer is to be yourself because he is not interested in any of those fancy characters you put up. It rather nauseates him. Do not put up a pretentious character and assume a certain style of walking, talking, or smiling. Just be yourself and be as professional as possible.