The other day I was talking with a friend who has a long and successful work history and is now trying to change fields. She was frustrated because the feedback she kept getting from recruiters was “stay with what you know. Right now employers are only looking for people who can hit the ground running.”
This phrase-“hit the ground running”-stuck with me because, in my experience, that is very difficult to do. Even if you performed the same job within the same industry, a new position in a new company always comes with new challenges. After all, each company has its own culture, its own set of procedures, its own way to do things.
I was once passed up for a job at a medical practice because I had no healthcare experience. The person who was hired (who had healthcare experience) lasted two weeks and shortly after I got a call asking if I was still interested in the position. I took it, and worked there for almost 3 years.
I think that a better way to approach hiring is to focus on culture match, flexibility, and attitude. Skills can be taught, but you’ll never be able to change a personality.
Real Thoughts 