Recruiting is a constantly changing art form. One is caught trying to balance a complex equation. The formula includes potential candidate skills, perceptions of others, and known and hidden history of both sides. Does one go for proven skills demonstrated through hard results? How much consideration does one give to the perception of those interviewing the candidate? What does one do with the history one is aware of? Should one consider speculation and rumors?
Every organization has a trending preference of what they are looking for. One is tempted to pass judgment, however I would suggest that there is nothing absolute about the balance. Whatever the formula is for an organization, it is a reflection of a time and place in a community’s story. The important link is between an individual’s personality and abilities and the organization itself. The more closely aligned the two are, the higher the short term potential will be for integration. While there is no link to future success, the potential will exist if there is a connection.
Spiritually this plays out in ways most do not expect. God has an advantage over interviewers. Divinity can see within, knowing the potential within each. History suggests that it is those the world does see as having potential that God chooses first. One writer’s comment captures the reality. “Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these ‘nobodies’ to expose the hollow pretensions of the ‘somebodies’?” (1 Corinthians 1.28)
Interviewing is a sales process. Knowing that you and I are always representing who we are, I find that the steps reflecting a thirst to be part of something greater than ourselves. The question I find myself asking is one of clarity. Do I know who I am? Do I understand what I can do? Am I aware of what I am called to do?
I may not know the right words. I do know that my actions will tell a new story. It is a wonderful opportunity to be more than I was.
