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Job Search Tip: Think & Act Like a Gourmet Chef

May 10, 2009 by sparktalk 

By J.T. O’Donnell

Last week, I had the chance to dine at a truly exquisite gourmet restaurant. Lucky for me, I didn’t have to pick up the check! The meal was more than delicious -  it was forever memorable. The presentation, the pace, and of course, the food itself were all amazing. Suddenly, as I sat there, I realized what many job seekers are failing to do these days could be compared to cooking techniques.

Let me explain…

Hiring Managers = Food Critics

For starters, hiring managers are like food critics. Their jobs are to identify talent capable of making meals that are tasty, one-of-a-kind and well-executed. They need to find the right candidate who A) has the skills, B) is a fit for their unique corporate culture, and C) is professional by their company’s standards. Starting to see the connection?

Job Seekers = Chefs

Now, the job seeker is the chef. It is up to her to identify the right ingredients and cooking style (i.e. assess her professional strengths), put them together in a way that is tasty to the hiring manager (i.e. create strong introduction e-mail/cover letter/resume/social media profiles/etc. that connect with the company) and then present it in a way that leaves the hiring manager craving more (i.e. great interview skills and follow up). Make sense? Of course it does, because everyone can appreciate a well-cooked meal!

Are You Fast-Food or Gourmet Cook?

And yet, I continue to hear stories of job seekers who act more like line cooks at fast-food restaurants than gourmet chefs. They blast their resumes out to job openings without the slightest bit of research on the companies they are sending them to. They don’t bother to try to find a networking connection within the organization to see if they can learn the ‘tastes’ of the hiring manager. And they definitely don’t spend time crafting compelling introduction letters and career stories that will get them recognized as top talent who should be granted an interview. In short, they don’t bother to put the time and energy into the prep and presentation of themselves so vital to being chosen for consideration.

So, as a new day of job searching begins, I ask you: “Are you going to cook a gourmet meal with your talents, or are you going to go the fast-food route?” If you want to WOW hiring managers and be memorable (in a good way), I suggest you try investing in the gourmet chef approach.

What do you think readers? How else can job seekers approach the process like an accomplished cook? What are you doing to put your ’signature touches’ on your job search efforts to help yourself stand out from the crowd? I’d like to hear your ideas below.

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Filed Under: Career Advice (Articles), Job Search Tactics
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Comments

  • Job Caesar
    I like the Chef analogy! As with any great meal, presentation is key. And great ingredients carefully prepared are essential. CAREEREALISM and JOBCAESAR are going to be great Twitter mates!
  • Mark Van Baale
    J.T., this example is so right on. I like the Hiring managers portrayed as food critics and job searchers as the chefs. Great analogy! Thanks for sharing.
  • Laurie Henrichsen
    Great presentation means nothing without quality ingredients. Start instead with the essence of who you are. Then network with those who appreciate your vision to find the job you were meant to do.
  • yulia
    this is a wonderful article. there are many ways to do as you write, simply reading the job description and reading things like 'applicant needs to handle multiple projects simultaneously' should prompt an example in the applicant's cover letter about how he/she has successfully done so in past - in 1 sentence.
  • JT,

    You're absolutely right. As a recruiter, I find myself explaining the importance of customizing applications with resumes and application letters that apply to each job requirement more and more. What a candidate might have gotten away with in 2008 is no longer relevant, and as the market has changed, so must the candidate evolve to adapt their application strategy to work in the new game.

    These days job seekers are facing increased competition in the job hunt. There are more candidates on the market, so it's important to remember that their target audience (hiring managers, HR departments) has their work cut out for them, trawling through so many more resumes than they would have, say, twelve months ago. It is important to intrigue enough that the Hiring Manager needs to meet with you.

    Take an extra 15 minutes on your next application. Before you hit that "apply now" button, do some research into the company advertising the job. Talk to your recruitment consultant (if you work with one) to see if they have extra information about that client beyond the job description. Sometimes there is more grey in a description than you think.

    Take note of the Key Selection Criteria in the job description, and review your resume - does your skill set speak to each of those skills in the criteria? If so - excellent! If no - you might want to highlight that experience, so the reader of your application knows where you would add value to their business.

    And remember your audience/food critic!

    Happy Job Hunting!
  • Mallorie
    I like the analogy, but when reqs are getting hundreds of responses in just a few days, how can you really take the time you need to develop a great meal, so to speak?
  • Great question Mallorie,

    In my experience, you need to know the 'tastes' of your employer before the job req gets posted. With more than 90% of jobs being gotten on referral these days, we suggest people start looking for companies who would 'enjoy their style of cooking' and then proactively market to them. Otherwise, you have to focus on building your personal brand so that it is clearly unique and attractive and hope that employers will choose you off the shelf. I'd suggest you check out our 'brand or be branded' article as well as the 'interview bucket list' video post which can shed some light on ways you can do this. Good luck with the job search and let us know if there are other topics we can write about to assist you!
  • As a Sybil of the HR world with many personalities, one being amateur chef, I applaud this analogy! Lots of short order cooks out there with their one-size-fits all resumes they artlessly flip like fast food burgers to every butcher, baker and candlestick maker position advertised, versus truly gourmet chefs exquisitely pairing ingredients and concerned about their pièce de résistance presentation.

    Your post is what sets apart paper and linen napkins :-)
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