Yesterday @cleb asked me to answer what traits I look for when I'm hiring.
When I'm hiring, it's for an entry- level or mid- level position, someone who has to do a little bit of everything. Fundraisers tend to stay in a job for 18-24 months, and it's only worse at this level. Let's get this out of the way. Job hopping isn't an issue for me, unless it's extreme. I'd like to see you stay and grow, but that's not always feasible. Things happen. Bosses can be terrible. I get it.
Real- talk time. I work for a large university. Internal candidates and alumni with experience have an advantage. I'm sorry, they just do. But, show me that you're motivated, curious, follow instructions with the application, and you can write a good cover letter that tells me what you can do for me, and you'll land an interview.
Can this person walk into the job and not need a lot of training? If the answer is yes, then I love you. You just saved me so much time, you don't even know. But this is rare, so don't despair. We all had to get that first foot in the door.
Are you willing to learn? Show me in your cover letter how you jumped into something and figured it out. Also important for me, is intellectual curiosity. If you are, you'll probably take a project and run with it. And that, my friend, is a beautiful thing. I will probably ask you about your reading habits. Do you travel? What do you do for fun? I'm looking for proof that you keep your mind active. If you're proactive in your off time, you'll be the same at work.
Can you take constructive criticism well? Will you be direct with me? Work and personal relationships don't work unless there's honesty. But, like, not too much honesty. Don't tell me if I look fat in these pants. If we're going to be a team, I want everyone, especially the school and the dean, to be shown in the best light. That means we work together and help each other out. I can't worry about walking on eggshells because I may bruise your ego, just like I'm sure you don't want to do that with me. Your opinion matters. But be okay if I like my idea better, and I will give you the same courtesy.
Sweat the details For the love of all that is holy, nag me. Stay on top of details, keep on track of everything, and sweat the details so I don't have to. And so the dean doesn't have to. But don't worry, I got your back. Ask me to double check something and I will. Remember we're a team.
Do you do your best? We all make mistakes. Did you try your best that day? Our "best" changes daily, and that's okay. If you have references that say you do this, you're golden.
I don't hire lazy. That was a thing at one point. Utter crap. I don't have time to micromanage. I have only let go two people and both were rude to me or people much higher than me, and either didn't bother doing much work or would wait until the end of their shift, do everything in five minutes, give me terrible work, then leave. Bye, Felicia! Your tears may have meant more if I didn't give you dozens of chances and I didn't try to talk to you multiple times.
Don't be lazy
Do you play well with others? Being collaborative has been an underlying theme with all my points. It's incredibly important. But also, can I put you in front of the dean or donors and not have to worry?
**Do our skills complement each other? ** I'm awesome. I know this. It's just a fact. hair swish But I am not perfect. I need someone who has the skills I lack. I don't want to hire a mini-me. And let's face it, once you become a manager, the part of your brain that was super awesome at organizing and doing all the stuff I need you to do, withers and dies. I can do super cool manager things now but I'd be useless at doing what I did a decade ago. I need your help. And in return, I will train you to lose that part of your brain too. Oh it will happen. Whether you like it or not. moo ah ah ha
Do we get along? I will most likely spend more time with you than my family. We don't have to like the same stuff, but can you tolerate my humor? What about pictures of my animals? Can I stand hearing about your boyfriend? Did your child do something hilarious that morning and you just have to tell me about it real quick? Even though we're in a large university, our school is a staff of about a baker's dozen. You don't have to be my bestie, and you're certainly under no obligation to share your personal life, but we have to get along.
Many times people quit bosses, not jobs. I'm currently in the reference stage of hiring. I sent the candidate one of my references, because this person needs to know what they're getting into as much as I do. As a fellow hiring manager, I recommend you do the same. This person needs to work well with you.
