3 Reasons To Hire From Outside Your Industry

While at times it may prove comfortable and convenient to hire from within your current industry, often the best candidate for the job comes from outside your "comfort zone". How can that be? As a recruiter focused on a highly regulated and competitive industry experiencing significant growth nationwide, here are 3 reasons to hire from outside your industry:

1. Deeper Talent Pools:

We function inside a very narrow industry segment yet the companies serve a broad and diverse customer base. The technology used in our industry is not state of the art. Very few companies, from either the manufacturer or the operators' side are using technology to its fullest extent. Last year we completed a search assignment for a publicly held manufacturer who sought technology skills not readily available in local talent pools. Local candidates were 5-7 years behind the times in terms of having the skill sets necessary for the client's impending development project . The client was enlightened enough to realize this and commissioned us to find the best and brightest. The client understood that they had to seek deeper waters to fish in. This helped to find the quality candidates they would need to complete this project. What mattered is that the candidates had the technical skills to take the company from point A to B and points beyond their current capabilities. Our ability to search for candidates in deeper talent pools created a selection process that benefited the company tremendously. Instead of having 2-3 qualified candidates to select from, we were able to present 4-7 strong candidates. Ultimately, this presented the client company with a diverse and qualified talent pool. Always, a preferable option.

2. Top tier candidates thrive on challenges:

Regardless of their industry, top performers thrive on career challenges. They are inspired when confronted with obstacles or impediments; they embrace opening markets that have been closed to their employers; they seek out opportunities for professional growth. As recruiters, we ask client companies to welcome these top performers from other industries as untapped potential for their industry. We recently completed the placement of a Senior Vice President of Operations. The candidate did not come from inside the traditional circle of competitors. Rather, the selected candidate came from large publicly held media and entertainment company. The candidate had no prior experience or knowledge in our industry. Yet, his profile, track record of accomplishments, and most of all, his attitude towards taking the company and his career to the next level secured him the opportunity. For this candidate, it was the opportunity to create growth and expand the client company's operations that fueled his interest in the new industry. Results for the first quarter under his leadership: Sales increased 19% over previous quarter and operational costs decreased 37%.

3. Fresh Approaches to Old Problems:

Can't teach an old dog a new trick? Maybe true, but fresh approaches and new viewpoints may solve old problems that linger inside industries and companies. Seeking out candidates with skill sets and experiences disparately different than what you traditionally recruit from could be the best direction for your company. Companies that seek to embrace fresh perspectives are those that remain on the cutting edge of product development and superior customer service. New opinions and outlooks brought to the table by candidates from outside your industry may lead to breakthroughs on problems once thought insurmountable. Case in point: A major technology provider in our industry segment recently hired a senior level engineering manager from the aerospace industry. This candidate was a specialist in programming languages that were relatively new to the industry segment. Less than 3 weeks after his start, he solved 2 significant programming issues that had vexed an entire department of programmers for the past 4 months. Old problem, fresh approach. Problem solved.

As recruiters, we seek specific skills that will make a candidate successful no matter what industry they are in. Just because a candidate has never worked in your industry does not mean they do not have the potential to become a tremendous asset to your company. Look for the best possible candidate you can get. While direct industry experience is welcome, it is not an end all. Understand and appreciate the fact the skill sets are transferable from industry to industry and perhaps a fresh vision will unearth unseen potential.

Executive recruiter William Werksman is a frequent columnist to job boards including http://www.NevadaJobBoard.com addressing both the candidate's and employer's perspective. Werksman's expertise has been featured in business magazines, national newspapers and television news segments. His firm, Resource Partners, is recognized as the leading source of specialized and executive talent in the Casino and Gaming industry. He manages a staff of recruiters out of his firm's Las Vegas, Nevada headquarters. He may be reached at: Bill@CareerInsider.com.

---

Google News Updated : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:50:04 GMT Tehran confirms seizure of aircraft - Financial Times AFP Tehran confirms seizure of aircraft Financial Times - 42 minutes ago By Thomas Escritt in Budapest and Najmeh Bozorgmehr in,Tehran Iran yesterday revealed that it had forced a Hungarian-crewed transport aircraft to land after it strayed into the Islamic republic's airspace at the end of last month. Iran Withdraws Claim on US Plane New York Times US Military: Tense Encounters With Iran Occur Almost Daily FOXNews CNN International - AHN - United Press International - The Associated Press all 684 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:08:03 GMT With Outlook Dim, Bernanke Says Fed May Act on Rates - New York Times Boston Globe With Outlook Dim, Bernanke Says Fed May Act on Rates New York Times - 2 hours ago By DAVID STOUT and EDMUND L. ANDREWS WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, said on Tuesday that the turmoil in the financial markets had increased the risk to overall growth and that federal regulators would have to be vigilant to ... Video: Bernanke signals possible rate cut ReutersVideo Bernanke hints at possible interest rate cut MarketWatch Bloomberg - TheStreet.com - Forex Market all 1,140 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:40:38 GMT McCain, Obama discuss possible Treasury secretary picks - Reuters Wall Street Journal Blogs McCain, Obama discuss possible Treasury secretary picks Reuters - 43 minutes ago NASHVILLE, Oct 7 (Reuters) - US presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama both mentioned investor Warren Buffett as a possible pick for Treasury secretary on Tuesday but both spoke in only general terms about the qualities they would seek ... McCain, Obama agree that Buffett could lead US treasury (Extra) Monsters and Critics.com A Strong eBay, A Strong Government Forbes Wall Street Journal Blogs - CNN Political Ticker - Boston Herald - Bloomberg all 24 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:06:13 GMT ACORN office in Vegas raided in voter-fraud probe - The Associated Press ABC News ACORN office in Vegas raided in voter-fraud probe The Associated Press - 2 hours ago LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada authorities seized records Tuesday from a group they accused of submitting fraudulent voter-registration forms - including for the starting lineup of the Dallas Cowboys. Non-Profit Raided In Voter Fraud Probe CBS News ACORN Nevada Office Raided Washington Post MarketWatch - CNN Political Ticker - USA Today - Cleveland Leader all 197 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:01:25 GMT Nashville Knockout: What To Watch For - Washington Post Vancouver Sun Nashville Knockout: What To Watch For Washington Post - 4 hours ago Riggers lift scaffolding into place in front of the Curb Events event site at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, as preparations continue for Tuesday's presidential debate. WRAPUP 5-Obama, McCain battle over taxes, economy Reuters Presidential debate: minute by minute Los Angeles Times The Associated Press - New York Times - Newsweek - Newsday all 1,781 news articles Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:08:13 GMT Study Shows Weak Circumcision/HIV Benefit for Gay/Bisexual Men - WebMD AFP Study Shows Weak Circumcision/HIV Benefit for Gay/Bisexual Men WebMD - 1 hour ago By Daniel J. DeNoon Oct. 7, 2008 -- Circumcision offers little HIV protection to gay/bisexual men -- overall. But it might cut HIV risk in predominantly insertive partners. Circumcision HIV impact doubted BBC News AIDS Benefits of Circumcision Are Limited, Study Finds New York Times U.S. News & World Report - Bloomberg - TIME - MedPage Today all 45 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:24:47 GMT Uneasy calm in Bangkok after day of deadly riots - Reuters The Age Uneasy calm in Bangkok after day of deadly riots Reuters - 1 hour ago BANGKOK, Oct 8 (Reuters) - An uneasy calm settled over the Thai capital on Wednesday after the worst street violence in 16 years the day before, when two people died and nearly 400 were injured in clashes between police and anti-government protesters. Video: Raw Video: Tear Gas Fired at Thai Protestors AssociatedPress Two dead as Thai troops battle protesters guardian.co.uk Xinhua - Sin Chew Jit Poh - Washington Post - Radio Australia all 1,463 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:18:31 GMT RSS For Web Pages Increase Web Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Preparation is Key

Interviewing for a new job, or a promotion, can be... Read More

Resume Objectives: How Do You Know if Resume Objectives Are Right for You?

Some experts say NEVER bother with resume objectives. While others... Read More

Build New Habits -- Payday Will Come --

Feeling that it never works is not a good excuse.... Read More

The Telecommuting Tightrope

For many of us, telecommuting seems like the ideal situation.... Read More

Is a Career Change on Your Horizon?

Making a career change is nothing new in today's job... Read More

Career Tips: How To Start A New Career

These days most people accept that jobs are not for... Read More

Job Search Advice for Desperate Job Seekers

Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You... Read More

Waiting for Lightening to Strike

Author and management guru, Peter Drucker says, "People adjust to... Read More

Are Online Degrees Valid to Prospective Employers?

Online distance learning has gained rapid popularity with the advent... Read More

Students Searching for a Job

Searching for a job has become easier than ever for... Read More

How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?

Do you think that there is a big sign that... Read More

How to Use Flow In The Job Search

What is "flow"? Flow as described by the psychology professor... Read More

How to Pick the Best Career For You , Part 2: From Exposure-to-Opportunity

Gain an audience by recognizing opportunity There's a sexier method... Read More

Do You Need A Mentor? And How Do You Find One?

Whether you're self-employed or you work for someone else, you're... Read More

Employment Under A Microscope

A certain amount of oversight is involved in almost any... Read More

Great Interview Skills

Going for a job interview can be a harrowing experience.... Read More

Tips on How to Write High Impact Letters of Recommendation

Congratulations. You've been asked to write a letter of recommendation... Read More

You Can Identify a Problem Solver

As an executive recruiter, I interview a lot of people.... Read More

Global Economy Creates Need For International Business Pros

The increasing globalization of business has created a demand for... Read More

Change Your Life, Change Your Career And Get A New Job!

Careers dictate resume formatDifferent careers use different forms of resumes.... Read More

What You Cant Ask a Job Candidate is as Important as What You Can Ask

As a human resources professional or business owner, you face... Read More

Become an LPN, the Fast Path to a Nursing Career

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) CareersLicensed Practical Nurses provide the most... Read More

Get Off Your Butt and Out of the Rut

It's amazing to see so many people who are prepared... Read More

Four Simple Steps To Better Results With Your Resume

Is every job description you read the same? No.Is every... Read More

Petite Modeling: What Should You Wear to Your First modeling Photo Shoot?

If you're looking into making the petite modeling industry your... Read More