Would you Hire this Woman?

 With the state of today’s fluctuating job market, what drives employers to finally make that hiring decision? What truly defines talent? What does it really mean to go above and beyond? What must a candidate do to show potential employers he or she is the right choice for the job ?

Take Laura Doherty for example. Last week, this 27-year-old woman decided to stand on a street in a small county in Pennsylvania holding a sign that read, “Take my resume.” She handed out around 25 resumes, and according to an article, Doherty’s been busy fielding multiple job interview offers and inquiries ever since.

The story goes:

Being featured in the local news media hasn’t hurt either. Besides pieces in The Citizens’ Voice and on local TV news, Doherty also called in to a local radio talk show – on which she was the topic of discussion – and gave out her contact information Thursday.

She promptly got a job interview with Cumulus Radio on Thursday and has a follow-up scheduled for next week. Other inquiries are filtering in and Doherty said she’s looking for a job in human resources or sales.

She’s also scheduled to give an interview telling her story on The Jeff Walker Show on 98.5 FM this afternoon [8/16/13].

The article said that Doherty, who received a master’s degree last year, estimates she has unsuccessfully applied for more than 250 jobs post-grad.

Here’s a job seeker who obviously after unsuccessfully finding employment that “traditional way” took matters into her own hands and decided to step outside the box.

Would you hire her? Are her actions the type most employers are looking for?

I say yes, and below are just 4 reasons why:

1. Commitment

Doherty’s actions demonstrated just how committed she was to finding a job. It’s very easy to become discouraged and throw in the towel, especially when you’ve experienced one failed attempt after another. But Doherty showed employers how she wasn’t going to give in, even in the face of adversity and even at the point of what others would deem desperate or humiliating. I believe commitment is a trait all employers desire when seeking out the best candidates.

2. Self-Starter

Most of us look for advice and “how to” when it comes to doing things. Doherty demonstrated that she is a self-starter by making her own decision to stand on the street and hand out resumes. Companies want and need self-starters because it ensures them workers not only understand the importance of being independent but will also have the ability to do this.

3. Innovator

I’m sure this woman wasn’t the first person to invent handing out resumes in public, but that doesn’t take away her innovation and creativity. Again, instead of continuing  to follow the traditional methods of job hunting, Doherty dared to be different and go against the grain.

Every business is hungry (or should be) for employees who are innovators. Every business should seek out creativity and originality in its workers because a creative workforce produces a creative company. Innovative workers help business continually develop and stay ahead of the curve.

4. Confident

Confidence is attractive, is it not? Think about an interview: If a job candidate walks in; firmly shakes your hand; answers every question without hesitation; asks his/her own; and boldly explains why he/she is the correct choice for the job, you’re going to remember that person. You’re going to be drawn to him/her more than a candidate who was timid, shy, nervous and unsure.

Doherty’s actions displayed confidence; I mean, you have to be pretty bold to stand on the street and ask complete strangers (in a sense) to give you an opportunity. And companies want workers who are confident in themselves and their capabilities because it lets them know the employees can and will get the job done.