My Ideal Candidate

My Ideal Candidate

“What does your ideal job look like?”

Oh if had a pound for every time I’ve asked people that question over the years!

Well, this week it’s time to focus on me for a change (I can hear my other half’s eyes rolling from here).

I’m going to answer the question that literally NO ONE in 13 years of recruiting has asked me.

“What does MY ideal CANDIDATE look like?”

Yep, this is just one mans opinion but understanding the answer to this question might actually be helpful when it comes to landing that ‘ideal job’.

So here goes.?

My ideal candidate is…

1. Responsive

No need to check for a pulse here. My ideal candidate responds to emails/ phone calls/ texts/ messages delivered by carrier pigeon quickly. They’re easy to reach, available for interviews and not likely to bugger off on holiday for 2 weeks mid process without letting you know first*

*If you're sat there thinking "double standards" then I'll remind you this is my IDEAL candidate. You're welcome to write your own ideal recruiter post OK ??

2. Honest

Don’t laugh ?? My ideal candidate is transparent about their expectations. They’re honest about their current role (or reasons for a lack of one) and share accurate information when it comes to notice periods and any pre arranged time off.?

3. A Master Marketeer

When it comes to your job search you’re your own shop window. My ideal candidate’s CV and LinkedIn profile are up to date, fully optimised, perfectly formatted and checked for typos. They’re also unlikely to turn up to an interview (virtual or otherwise) in a Green Day hoody (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!)


4. Respectful

It’s a no brainer right? Well, you’d be surprised. It’s amazing how people who are supposedly motivated to get a new job can lose sight of the fact that a lot of agency recruiters are acting as an extension of a company's Talent acquisition team. We’re your first point of contact and if you’re disrespecting us (or me) then there’s little to no chance of your CV landing in my clients inbox.?

5. Open to Feedback

Yep, recruiters are renowned for not giving it. What’s spoken about a whole lot less are the candidates that don’t want to hear it. My ideal candidate is receptive to feedback. Feedback on their CV, LinkedIn profile and most definitely following an interview (whether they’re successful or not).?

EVERYONE is chasing the elusive "ideal job".

Does it exist? Who the hell knows! But by adopting even a few of the traits mentioned above you'll increase increase your chances of finding it and make the entire recruitment process a whole lot easier (for both of us) in the process.

At the end of the day, while the job you’re considering might seem like a perfect fit, it’s your approach to the recruitment process that will determine if you’re deemed perfect for it.

The End.


Enjoyed this edition of The Job Journal? Like, comment and share away and if you’re looking for inspiration to change your relationship with work by people who have done just that, then tune into my podcast 'JobsWorth' via the link below ????

https://open.spotify.com/show/26LxDE7jzZIaGgYW3nwAGp?si=55314be519d74fcd


Zakaria Khan

Business Owner at TKT home made mosla products

6 个月

Interesting John Hawker

Simon Hall

SAP OTC Functional and Business Process Consulting / Project & Change Management

7 个月

Very helpful refreshing perspectives as always john!

Mark Green

CEO @ Change Rebellion | Change & Transformation | Lover of all things cheese

7 个月

Fantastic post mate as always, although very surprised you didn’t use someone as a reference point (cough), you know someone who exhibits those behaviours (cough), someone who lives up to your ideals (cough), perhaps even someone you know well, call a friend or even consider them the mustard to your sausage (cough) ?? #reallybadcough

Richard Flores-Moore FCCA MBA

Delivering systems led global transformation. Focussed on finance, insight and cloud platforms. Genuinely intersted in making lives easier using AI.

7 个月

Agreed John, As a standard to live by, as a close on 20 year contractor each of the ideals you discuss are the only way to do business as far as I am concerned. All of us operating with integrity, diligence, a willingness to adapt and polite and respectful friendliness is the way....infact "this is the way" Best regards RichFM

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