Power of Please and Thank you

Posted On 21 Mar 2023

Power of Please and Thank you

21 Mar 2023
How Manners and Attitude could land you a job even if you don't have all the skills required

Candidate Resource, Employer Resource, Interview Tips, On The Job, Popular Culture

How Manners and Attitude could land you a job even if you don't have all the skills required

For the last few years, job seeking has been a topsy-turvey ride. In 2020, Australia’s unemployment rate spiked at 7.5%. A shock after coming from pre-pandemic rates of circa 5%. In 2021 the unemployment rate fell to 5.11%, with a crescendo in July 2022 of 3.4%. Hailed as full employment and the lowest level since 1974, it turned job-seeking on its head.

So how can you boost your employability when you might not be the perfect candidate?

The standout guarantee  is manners and a good attitude. As an experienced recruiter, I know they pave the way to job success. And I am not alone. A study by Career Builder reported 95 per-cent of executives and managers said good manners matter when it comes to advancing your career.

 

Manners

Manners are more than a please and thank you. At a deeper, more symbolic level, manners reflect outwardly, conveying concern and bringing the promise of empathy and compassion for others.

At its core, manners show respect. More formal manners, such as etiquette, form part of our critical social skills necessary to follow societal norms and rules.

They demonstrate how you will function with the team, customers, and stakeholders.

Why the matter

Manners, too, have entered the shocking skillset fray.

Our amplified focus on self and not just because of the pandemic; social media and the likes have played their role, contributing to the gradual decline and erosion of interpersonal, social skills and manners.

Working from home or remotely, whilst loaded with benefits, is fraught with disadvantages. Increased isolation decreased human interaction, and we find ourselves second-guessing and forgetting the niceties and appropriate decorum.

The yin and yang

Your resume, skills and experience only form part of the employment equation. Hiring managers want more. Your manners and good attitude showcase the other side, the authentic you. The window to your values and upbringing, magnifying how you might be to work with.

Your manners and positive outlook allow you to be discovered. What can you offer in a skills short market to counterbalance the gap in skills or experience? Equally, in a talent-abundant market, what distinguishes you from your counterpart? Your manners and attitude.

First impressions count

Authentic manners are instinctive and showcase in a split second who you are. Forget the well-known adage of taking 60 seconds to form an opinion of someone. New research reveals it takes a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger.

There are some simple ways to show manners:

  • Responding to any communication, email, text, phone calls etc., straight away signals respect for their time and enthusiasm, otherwise translated as a nice attitude.
  • Address all communication formally, with salutations of ‘Good morning, Hi or Dear’ and an appropriate sign-off, such as ‘Regards etc.’. Worse is no salutation or not writing a person’s name.
  • After the interview, always thank the person for their time with eye contact and, if appropriate, with an email. Appreciation and gratitude are the brainchildren of manners. Without them, manners are superficial token appeasements. How else can we sincerely thank, if without gratefulness?
  • When accepting the role, respond straight away, returning the contract and don’t be afraid to express your excitement. It shows your politeness and attitude are not superficial but will continue throughout your employment.

 

 

Applies to us all

Being well-mannered and possessing a great attitude is not just for those establishing their career. It applies to us all, no matter the seniority and perhaps even more so as we progress. Research shows 70% believe people become less courteous as they climb the corporate ladder.

Astute hiring managers use every avenue in evaluating job seekers, from the first application, phone call, and all through onboarding and induction etc. Whether in a tight labour market or one of high unemployment levels, you need that something to set you apart. Manners and your stellar attitude do that.

Everyone loves the child who says please and thank you and gives up their seat. Even to the point of recalling the story at work or home. The purity and simplicity of manners. It captures everyone. Be that adult child.

Originally published by www.dailytelegraph.com.au

About the author
Roxanne Calder
Managing Director

As Founder and Managing Director at EST10, Roxanne has an all-encompassing role that includes building and growing the business, as well as actively recruiting and consulting.

After completing a Bachelor’s Degree at Monash University, Roxanne began her recruitment career with renowned recruiter Julia Ross. From there, Roxanne worked in HR and recruitment with a number of global players and boutique businesses throughout Australia, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong for over 20 years. She has been responsible for managing large teams and projects, implementing RPO models, managing and assisting businesses to an IPO and assisting companies in setting up their recruitment teams and processes.

Following completion of her MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management, Roxanne launched EST10 in July 2010. In doing so, she hoped to combine the flexibility and high touch service levels of boutique agencies with the structure and strategy afforded to larger firms. Roxanne believes in high-touch, high-care consulting and is always on the lookout for consultants that share this vision of recruitment.

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