Motivating Factor

A question I ask of all my candidates who are presently employed and yet looking for a new opportunity. What is your motivating factor? Their first answer usually only scratches the surface. "Well, I'd like to be a little closer to home." I'm not buying it. The economy tanked, your personal friends have been laid off, and you want to be a little closer to home? Try again. "I'd like better benefits." Yeah, most companies have scaled back their benefit packages; some have stopped contributing to 401K plans, some have taken away medical coverage altogether, and some have kissed good-bye things like STD and Life insurance. So, I dig deeper. "Would a lateral salary offer, get you to move?" Clenching her portfolio, my candidate replies, "Yes, at this point, I would consider moving for the same pay." I look up from my notes trying to read her soul...we're on to something. Money is not the motivating factor, so what really is prompting this person to look for a new position?

At this point during the interview, I stop asking questions. The brief, yet very awkward moment of silence gives my candidate a moment to muster up boldness and confess the following:

"You see, I want to work for an employer I trust. Quite frankly, I can't say that about my boss right now. That trust has been broken and I've completely lost all motivation to do a great job, to exceed my career goals and to push myself to maximum potential. The resentment I've harbored has only escalated and so, yes, if given an opportunity at the same level of pay, I'd give my 2 weeks notice tomorrow. I want to work for a company that believes their greatest asset is their employees. My current boss only cares about saving the 'house' and he has forgotten about the 'people' burning up inside the 'house'. I want to find a company that is forward-thinking and progressive, that gives back to their people, that is willing to invest in cutting-edge technology, and that honors the contracts it signs. My motivating factor is not money, the root of my injury is much deeper than money alone. It's about feeling appreciated, about feeling secure and having a trusting relationship."

I discovered the wound...everyone has one. Some are larger than others, but every job seeker has a wound. Dig deep, ask questions and really get to understand what is driving this person to look elsewhere. You'd be surprised to learn about their true, motivating factor.

LegalScout