May 16, 2003

Hiring in times of anger and fear
Posted by deisenhart@bostonworks.com">Douglas Eisenhart at 10:32 AM -

Things are a little unusual right now from either side of the hiring desk:

I'm looking for a mid-level manager, and . . . anxiety and anger is evident in the people I'm interviewing. What seems strangest is that candidates for the job seem to have adapted to these strange times by moving to polar extremes. They're either totally obsequious doormats who are essentially offering to work for food ("but that's negotiable," they explain) or are completely arrogant and believe they deserve a circa-1999 dot-com salary, work environment and perks. There isn't much in between. Where are the people who are reasonably self-confident?

The writer, a C-level executive, offers advice to (understandably) uptight job seekers in this strained employment environment. The insights are worthy of consideration by hiring managers, as well. Read the piece from Career Journal.

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