It’s obvious from recent headlines that Silicon Valley tech companies are having some serious human resources problems.
And even though rapidly expanding companies are bound to have some growing pains, Silicon Valley employers are not alone. HR troubles that stem from a lack of diversity and biased hiring to toxic cultures and harassment can — and do — plague any industry.
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These issues are making employers reassess their hiring processes in an attempt to avoid the same dilemmas. As a job candidate, this means that you not only need to do your own research into potential employers — you need to expect that employers will be doing more research into you. Here are three ways to be prepared.
1. Employee bad behavior doesn’t show up in a resume.
Employers are learning the hard way that a tendency toward bad behavior does not show up in a resume, and red flags that indicate a problematic employee may not be obvious in an interview setting. Employers are going to need to delve into a candidate’s work history to truly learn about a potential employee’s professional etiquette, attitude and how they may operate if they’re brought onto the team. One major way this will happen is through more rigorous and confidential reference checking.
Organizations can now easily get feedback from varied sources — not just managers, but co-workers as well — which can provide a more complete picture of a candidate’s profile. Some employers are now asking for up to five references, trying to get a holistic, big-picture view of a candidate. You may not remember what you did at the last office holiday party, but your co-worker might. So think twice before doing something you’ll regret. And be ready to supply a diverse set of references when you’re in the middle of your job hunt.
2. Focus on a potential employer’s culture.
No amount of ping pong tables or beer taps can make up for a toxic company culture. Be sure to read online employee reviews of all the companies to which you are applying. You may be surprised by what you find. If you see consistently negative posts, you may want to rethink applying for that open position.
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Another way to look into a company’s culture is through your LinkedIn connections. Do you know any college alumni who work at this company, or former co-workers who now work there? Leverage these connections and reach out. Ask how they feel about the company and whether they think it is a fair and respectful environment in which to work. These connections may be able to provide you with the most honest feedback about the organization — for better or for worse.
3. Expect to see more technology everywhere in the hiring process.
Diversity in the workplace is incredibly important and many employers even use diversity as a means to persuade potential employees to join their organization. However, as the news has made clear, some companies are struggling to put these good intentions into action.
More than ever before, employers are choosing to go above and beyond the traditional approach of just asking for a resume and interview to support their hiring decisions. It’s not enough anymore to just look good on paper, especially when a paper resume is no longer the be-all and end-all of an applicant’s qualifications for the open position.
Companies are also making commitments to combatting bias — which means that as an interviewee you should commit to remaining flexible and being prepared for new elements in the hiring process. These may come in the form of algorithms, blind resumes or even online games. Companies are adopting more advanced hiring practices that attempt to impartially measure a person’s skills and potential. Ideally, these tools will assist employers in mitigating unconscious bias and hiring a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
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In today’s restructured hiring model, it’s now both possible and advisable to act as your own human resources department, from doing thorough research about company culture to making sure you’re putting your best foot forward at all times. Being prepared for a thorough reference check and other innovative hiring practices will help you stand out to potential employers. Doing your own company reference check will tell you whether it is the kind of company that you want to work for. In today’s job market, where company culture is the name of the game, you’ll be well-served by preparing for these new hiring approaches that stem, in part, from Silicon Valley’s mistakes.
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3 Ways Your Job Search Is Being Impacted by Silicon Valley’s HR Scandals originally appeared on usnews.com
