The Recruitment process through which companies/organizations, government, etc. enlist human resources needed to function in various capacities to advance their goals. Encarta dictionary defines recruitment simply as the process through which companies/organizations enrol somebody as a worker or member. (Microsoft® Encarta® 2009)
In recent times, particularly in the underdeveloped and developing countries where job scarcity is prevalent, recruitment processes are popularly believed to be clouded with all forms of social/ethical vices such as favouritism, nepotism, tribalism, etc. Many people believe that merit is an uninvited guest when it comes to recruitment nowadays.
To a great extent, the above sentiment is true. However, there are still many companies/organizations that strictly recruit on merit basis. Thus, to generally assert that there is no “vacancy” for merit in recruitment processes nowadays is to commit a fallacy—of hasty generalization.
If you are the type that wants to be gainfully employed with merit; without any social or political affiliation, you may need to know these basic facts about recruitment:
Recruitment is asset hunting; not liability hunting
When you hunt for a job, don’t go looking for someone’s “merciful eyes”; go with your skills/expertise. Recruitment is not a form of social security system. Employers are not looking for someone to help financially; rather, they are looking for who will help build and achieve their organizational goals. That is, you have to offer your skills/expertise in exchange for certain agreed remuneration package. If you don’t have something to offer, you don’t get anything!
Recruitment is like a discovery quest
While you are looking for jobs, the recruiters are also hunting for the best (among you). That is, the recruiters don’t know you! They don’t. But they are looking for the best. So if you are among the best in your field, or you believe so, present yourself well to the recruiters so they can find you without difficulty. Package yourself very well. It’s not enough for you to be skilled, you must be able to make it known to people that you’re skilled!
Meanwhile, work more on improving your skills and updating your knowledge while hunting for a job. Some people take more time studying/cramming interview questions/answers than really improving themselves. This is a sheer misplacement of priority.
Recruitment is an entryway to a bigger responsibility
Understand that recruitment is just a phase to bigger responsibilities. Your external package can get you a job but it’s your internal package that will keep you on the job. That’s another reason you should constantly and consistently update and upgrade your skills/knowledge.
