Attraction Information

The Likeability Factor - Do You Have It?


Growing up, we all had a mental picture of the perfect life partner The person we thought would be our happily-ever-after -- a person with a perfect smile, beautiful eyes, and an adorable button nose. Fast forward to reality and who did you wind up with?

Chances are that if your partner of choice happens to be male, you ended up with a guy who is shorter than you expected, has less hair than you anticipated, but overall is a pretty neat fellow. And if you're interested in women, chances are that the woman you ended up with isn't as curvaceous as you dreamed, but overall is a very special person.

The truth is that no matter what you envisioned, you bought into what your partner was offering. Although he or she didn't meet all of your set criteria, they met the most important one -- they are good people -- and that is why you chose their companionship.

When it comes to hiring decisions, recruiters aren't any different. Realizing that one candidate isn't going to meet all the criteria in the job description, the recruiter buys into the person as a whole -- not one characteristic, accomplishment, or degree. After all is said and done, hiring decisions, for the most part, are based on whether or not the candidate is likeable.

What most don't understand is that likeability is more than the knack for getting others to hang out with you after work and share a couple of beers. This is why most interviews are challenging. Not only do you have to demonstrate that you are technically capable of doing the job, you must go a step further and impress the recruiter with your professional makeup -- that is, your ability to be assertive, focused, and versatile.

Assertiveness

When done right, assertive behavior is a nice balance between self-assurance and cockiness. This attribute can be a driving force during an interview because the person sitting across from you can't help but be drawn to you, and therefore begins to respond to your ideas, thoughts, and words. Coming across as assertive leaves the listener the impression that you are confident in who you are as a professional; and that attribute wins job offers.

Focus

Believe it or not, most interviewers dislike going through the motions of hiring, just as much as candidates dislike going on interview after interview. For this reason, a huge part of a successful interview is based on your ability to focus your responses on results. In doing so, you bring clarity to the conversation and help connect the dots for the interviewer. This is an important point because there are times when interviewers don't fully understand how your marketable skills can easily transfer to the open position.

When the interviewer begins to buy into your experience, you automatically become more appealing, and -- in the eyes of the interviewer -- the most qualified candidate.

Versatility

Interviewers seek candidates who have a broad perspective and aren't stuck in their way of doing things. Individuals who are versatile are natural-born achievers and are recognized for being forward thinking, flexible, and resourceful. These attributes interest organizations since the candidates who are adaptable will more than likely flourish in any circumstance.

Too often, job seekers overlook the likeability factor. The reason? It's always easier to lay the blame on a hiring manager than to take a personal inventory of how you are affecting your job search. Though it is true that sometimes hiring decisions are based on factors beyond your control, there are occasions when it comes down to whether or not you made a positive first impression.

About The Author

Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias brings a wealth of experience to the career services field. She has been sought out for her knowledge of the employment market, outplacement, job search strategies, interview preparation, and resume writing, quoted a number of times in The Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday, Newsweek, and HR-esource.com. She is president of CareerStrides and the National Resume Writers' Association. Visit her website at www.careerstrides.com or email her at linda@careerstrides.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

McDermont Field House water attraction on hold
Visalia Times-Delta, CA - 11 hours ago
“We were unaware that we were classified as a ‘water amusement attraction’ with the state of California. We didn’t even know we had to be certified by OSHA ...
Lindsay wave machine may reopen soon Visalia Times-Delta
all 2 news articles


At this convention, O'Malley no longer hot young attraction
Baltimore Sun, United States - Aug 27, 2008
By David Nitkin The past couple of years have left some tarnish on one of Maryland's once-sparkling political leaders. Martin O'Malley arrived at the 2004 ...


Queensland's new 'must-see' attraction opens
The Age, Australia - 21 hours ago
Premier Anna Bligh has described a new walkway through a rainforest canopy in far north Queensland as a "must-see" tourist attraction. ...


Tough love's fatal attraction
Asia Times Online, Hong Kong - Aug 26, 2008
By Julian Delasantellis One of the most popular programs on the American A&E cable television network is called Intervention, or as I like to call it, ...


stv.tv

Beautician and a beast: Violent past of girl in 'fatal attraction ...
Edinburgh Evening News, UK - 2 hours ago
By ALAN McEWEN A GRIEVING mother has told how her son became entangled in a "fatal attraction" with a beauty therapist who was cleared of killing him during ...
Exclusive: Bottle thug taunts victim's family as she is cleared ... Glasgow Daily Record
all 8 news articles


Reserve’s growing attraction
Aberdeen Press and Journal, UK - 2 hours ago
... hardworking volunteers at the reserve who have helped us to develop the garden into a great attraction – not just for wildlife but for visitors as well. ...


Toy train attraction is on track for record
expressandstar.com, UK - 1 hour ago
Drayton Manor, which recently became home to Europe’s only Thomas Land attraction, teamed up with toymakers Tomy and Hit Entertainment to try and break the ...


NW Evening Mail

Fete-full attraction
NW Evening Mail, UK - 17 minutes ago
There was plenty on show including performances from dancers, Jukalo the juggler and the Whitehaven Brass Band. Visitors also enjoyed home-made cakes, ...


Attraction more than just appearance
The Student Printz, MS - 7 hours ago
Another factor in physical attraction is BO That's right--body odor. Musk is a pleasant pheromone that biologically attracts us to one another. ...


Art is the star at family attraction
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - Aug 27, 2008
A DOUBLE display of art has come to the valley in the form of a family exhibition. Brother and sister Alison Williams, 48, and Mark Bearpark, 50, ...

Attraction - Google News

home | site map
© 2006