Is this applicant going to be an asset or a liability?

"Why would you want to work for this Company?" isThis last individual is a valuable potential staff member.
a question that every recruiter should have on hisHe is secure in himself and is confident that his skills
clipboard. Not so much for the response, but more formore than cover the job he is applying for.
the attitude with which the question is answered.In one of his speeches, President Kennedy said, "Ask
This attitude of course, reveals the emotion that thenot what America can do for you. Ask what you can
question evokes and will soon show whether thedo for America." This attitude is one that can be
applicant has any hope of becoming a success, andinterpreted on many levels because this is also another
more importantly, will he/she be an asset to theway of saying "put your attention outwards not
Company. Recruitment companies like The People Linkinwards" If the recruiter can identify that the person
( can help with the whole recruitment process.wants to contribute skills, loyalty, interest and pride in a
The first clue that the recruiter should be alert for isjob well done there is very little else that could be
the "direction of interest". If the interest that theasked for.
prospective employee has is on self, that is a warningAlways be alert for the one that wants to be
sign that all is not as it should be. If the signs reveal thatcontributed to. They usually ask all the "what are you
his or her interest is outwards, in other words on thegoing to give me?" questions before "the what can I
interviewer, other employees and the environment,contribute" questions.
then you have a potential gem.• "How many holidays a year do we get?
Body language plays a very important part in• What does the job pay?
assessing this. If he /she is glancing at their own• What time do we finish every day?
reflection in a window or perpetually straightening their• Do you give Health Benefits?
tie or dress, or perhaps fiddling with their hair, you know• Do we get increases every year?" etc.
that person's attention is on their appearance and notNot that the last group of questions need never be
directed outwards on the questions being asked. Theyasked, it's just how and when they are asked that is
are thinking, "I wonder if I look okay, am I making arevealing. If a prospect's attention is outward, it is far
good impression, I hope my tattoo isn't showing, I hopemore likely that he or she will be interested and happy
they like me" in stead of, "Wow! This is a nice place. Ito take responsibility with pride in a job well done. The
wonder what I can contribute to making this businessintrovert on the other hand, wants as much as he can
grow. I hope these guys give me the responsibility toget for as little effort as possible.
use my skills for the maximum benefit of all concerned.Which one would you hire?