What Is The True Cost Of Employment?
Most job seekers often think that the key to securing a good job is having as many qualifications as possible that relate to the job. While certifications may play a significant role in getting to the interview it is often the experience you have behind you that will interest the employer more, but why?
Recently I attended a “Professionals in HR” conference in Sydney Australia run by Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) where I had the opportunity to speak with many HR professionals across a range of companies. Some worked in banks, some in engineering firms, and some in recruiting agencies. One of the very interesting points that they all seemed to have plenty to say about was the fact that employers are looking for staff who have experience in the programs, products and general work ethic and procedure that is experienced in day to day operations. For example, a company who sell a particular suite of software products would want to hire a sales person who is already familiar with this product and competing products in the same channel, they wouldn’t want a car salesman who knows nothing about computer software.
Over the years management and HR staff have worked together very closely to determine just how much it costs to train an untrained staff member to the point where they are profitable to the company. The Cost Of Employment has been pinned at 150% This means that if you are a salesman in a new market, earning $80 000 a year, it will cost the company $40 000 to in time and resources to train you up to a point where you are actually performing efficiently for the company. So even though they are paying a salary of $80 000, the cost of employment to the company is $120 000.
So it becomes quite obvious that if an employer can find an applicant who is familiar with the product, or daily operations of the company then that applicant will have an edge over the competition even if they aren’t as qualified, experience counts for alot in such a “cut throat” market.
What can you do to gain this edge? Well the answer is simple… When you are applying for a job, be selective and familiarise yourself with the products you will be working with. When you make it to the interview make it known to the interviewer that you are familiar with the products you will be working with, as such you will require only a small amount of training on the job. This will certainly appeal to the employer as it is potentially going to save them tens of thousands of dollars by employing you, and saving money is music to the boss’ ears.
With readily available access to the Internet almost anywhere you go these days, there’s no excuse not to know as much as is published about a company and it’s products before you go into the interview. This method can be employed across a range of professions:
- Help desk jobs
- Sales jobs
- Receptionist roles
- Media Roles
- Graphic Design
- Health Care Positions
- Management Roles Across the Board
The next time you apply for a job just remember that the more cost effective you are to the employer the better your chances at getting the job, it’s just the edge you might need to get over the line in front of the competition.
