Pinpointing Job Seeker Passion in the Hiring Process - Spark Hire

Pinpointing Job Seeker Passion in the Hiring Process - Spark HireAlthough having an employee that is passionate about what they do is generally preferable, its certainly not mandatory. After all, if every person with a job was passionate about their work there would be much less stress and discontent in the working world. However, when you have an employee that is passionate about what they do, chances are they will be more productive, more willing to put in that extra time and effort, and more motivated to take the position to the next level. This is the kind of candidate you want to attract in the hiring process, but how can you decipher a passionate job landseeker from just a job seeker that needs a job?It can be really difficult to spielblttchen out job seekers that truly have a passion for what they do- or for what they want to do- from the job seekers that are simply just searching for a right now job. Especially since savvy, seasoned job seekers know what to say to woo you int o thinking they have the passion. There are certain things you can do though as a hiring manager, and certain questions you can ask, to help you pick out the passionate job seeker in the hiring process.Long-Term GoalsThis is a question that comes up in most interviews, but if you are looking to hire someone with passion then its even more important. Asking job seekers in the hiring process what their long-term career goals are will give you a better understanding of why they are trying to get this position. If this job is a step in the right direction towards their overall career goals, then chances are they will do their best to excel at it. If, on the other hand, this position is not in line with their future goals, then this might just be a position they are trying to pick up for a paycheck. When the right job comes along for them, they will probably jump ship. Depending on the position you are hiring for, that might be okay. If you are looking for someone to stay long-term thoug h, they might not be the job seeker for you.Why Did You Choose This IndustryIf this job seeker has a true passion for what they do, then this question will be easy for them to answer. There are a number of different reasons why people choose the line of work they are in. Some choose it for money, some for convenience and others for passion. Not to say that one is better than the other, but if its important for this future employee to love the work they do then the answer to this question is important. Plus, if the job seekers you are interviewing are truly passionate about what they do they will go above and beyond to complete their tasks. They wont be completing tasks and working on projects simply because they have to. Theyll be completing them with fervor because they love the industry or line of work.Skills/ExperienceAnother way you can see if a candidate is passionate about their work in the hiring process is to take a look at their track record, accomplishments and possible ce rtifications. When someone is passionate about what they do and truly love the line of work theyre in, theyre more likely to immerse themselves in it whenever they can. Has this job seeker taken up volunteer jobs during spurts of unemployment? Have they taken courses or gained online certifications to advance their skill set? Do they stay abreast of industry trends? If the answer is yes to any of those questions, then chances are this candidate is truly passionate about their work. They are doing everything they can to stay up-to-date in their industry and are fully immersed in their work. They will likely make a great employee or team member.Passion is not always a requirement for a job, and not always something that comes up in the hiring process. However, if you are looking for a candidate that will go above and beyond your expectations and really take hold of this position, then its probably something you want to address. By asking questions like this early on in the hiring proc ess you can really gain a better understanding of your candidates.What are some other questions or tactics you implement in the hiring process to see if your candidate has a passion for what they do? Share with us in the comments section belowIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by Hamad AL-Mohannna

ZALP Launches Strategic Consulting Panel

ZALP Launches Strategic Consulting Panel ZALP Launches Strategic Consulting Panel The Strategic Consulting Panel is the first wing of ZALPs Partner Program, which was launched in March 2014. The company says the panel stems from its teams belief in sensitizing employees to a new technology and helping them adopt it with ease as opposed to simply releasing new tools.Clients today prefer a one-stop solution for all their needs rather than having to associate with multiple entities. That is the idea ur Partner Program stems from. Although ZALP is very focused in its offering and we want to continue to excel in the employee referral space, we also wanted to make sure our clients find solutions to all their recruitment needs through our alliances, Priyanka Prabhu, marketing manager at ZALP, said.Panelists willUnderstand the nature of the clients businessAnalyze potential challengesChalk out a systematic roll out plan for clients andGuide clients before and after the go-live to ensure su ccess of the project.I have always been a firm believer in the concept of employee referrals. I think what ZALP brings to the table is absolutely great and I am excited about this alliance. I look at this as an opportunity to help organizations understand the true potential of employee referrals, said Morgan Hoogvelt, managing partner of Morgan HCM and partner with ZALP.