Indulge me for a few lines...
I feel as though major car companies really let one slip when they didn’t invest early and often in electric vehicle technology. This has allowed companies like Tesla to create a place in the market which I believe will be very durable and potentially ahead of the curve for years to come. Tesla is right now the most valuable automaker in the world despite being young and having its share of growing pains. In 2020, I’m not seeing the major automakers of yesterday compete. Nothing seems to be coming out of these camps in the form of the progression of automobiles or EV tech. My question was, and still is, why?
One thought might be that it simply isn’t enough to be a “hybrid.” Something like the Toyota Prius has been around for a long, long time, yet has it really changed that much since the early days? The answer is no, it hasn’t.
So what does this have to do with the hiring industry?
Well, all of this got me thinking about business and candidates and, of course, recruiting! Right now, it’s simply not enough to be a hybrid. As a candidate, it's tough to be seen as the “jack of all trades.” Most companies and most searches focus on specific skills or product knowledge or an educational background.
Do companies say they are looking for multi-tool players to wear many hats? Sure, but at the core, there is almost always a niche quality, pedigree, or experience that companies seek. They are looking to fill a role to handle a specific need. It is also easier for them to qualify candidates based on specificity versus generalities. Companies seek candidates who have invested in skills that are specific to the future and what aspects will be in need moving forward.
In conclusion, it is nice to be the new Prius on the block, but it’s even better to be setting the trend in terms of what will be relevant for the next fifty years.
Aim to be specific with the ability to pivot and avoid being the hybrid of yesterday. Instead, be the candidate of tomorrow.
Written by: Rob Scherer, Vice President at Hunter Crown, LLC
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