January 25, 2015, Prescott- A few days ago, my topic was Expectations. As I figured, the topic offended some people, but that’s the risk one takes, on a dedicated series like this. Regardless, I will continue to write what’s in my heart. Many of us prefer to overlook things which are either mundane or unsettling.
When I was still quite young, I sometimes would win a game of Hide and Seek, by simply lying down prone on the ground, close to the bottom edge of a cliff or berm. The seeker would, without fail, walk or run past me, and back to goal I would head in triumph.
Fast forward to the present, and a job market which frequently casts its nets far afield, while overlooking local talent, either out of the vanity of seeking the exotic or in the belief that someone who comes from another locale, will bring fresh vision and energy to the table. I fell in that trap, a few times, in the late ’90’s, only to be overruled by my Board, which chose an aging local person for the position. She turned out to be perfectly suited for the job, and grew in it, professionally, to serve several more years- long after I had left.
It’s just a thought, but how much would business and industry save, if they were to prioritize finding local talent, especially in smaller, close-knit communities. The newcomers do bring a different perspective, but they often must be eased into the community, while so many who are passed-over are still in the community, years later, and could have been a far greater asset to the organization, overall.
A Sagittarian Seeker 
It seems to me that the answer relates to both the people available and the nature of the organization. To some organizations, the relationship of the candidate to the locale is irrelevant, while to others it can be critical. When applying for new positions, it is always important to remember that those not chosen are simply not the people envisioned by those doing the hiring — it doesn’t say anything negative about the unchosen. And who knows — perhaps one day you will be the ‘aging local’ selected for a position!
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I very well could be, this time, Janet. As you say, though, if not- that is not a judgment on me as a person.
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I think this depends on a lot. And, since you asked, I’ll share some of my perspective on this.
Several years ago, I was on the committee to choose a new Director for my daughter’s preschool (which happened to be at my church). We had two very good candidates. The one I preferred greatly was young, enthusiastic, experienced, personable. The other was closer to my age, less experienced (with preschool director-y things), solid, a member of my church, and the sister of an employee of the church. I was completely outvoted. However, this director has been there for at least 10 years and has performed well in the position.
Secondly, I live in a college community. Our school district has a very close relationship with the College of Education. Most of our teacher openings are filled by those who have student taught in our schools. Age, experience, etc. thrown out the window in favor of fresh vision and energy.
So it seems to me that there are a lot of factors that should be part of a decision to hire. It should be the best qualified candidate, but it isn’t always that clear.
I wonder, sometimes, if what you see as people taking offense is something else? I worry about offending people too.
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It is always difficult to choose the correct candidate, in terms of posterity. I have been, for example, kept on in a position for which I was a poor fit and let go from a post in which I was achieving quite a bit. It is equally difficult to be the one in the hiring manager’s seat, and I’ve been there, also.
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I’ve gotten pretty used to people taking offense. Or just wanting to have their say. Which is pretty natural, I guess. I’m curious now and will have to track down that post.
Your thoughts make sense to me. Business is a strange world.
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The post was that of a few days ago. Some have commented favourably, since then.
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And if the powers-that-be hiring choice isn’t you, it is a mandate to work with children and youth as a sub, a mandate for owning your free time where you can make many choices like traveling and helping people, just an all around freedom from the 9-5 doldrums.
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Exactly, Judy!
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