by Gert Nzimiro

NewsFebruary 8, 20190 comments

Giving the underdog candidate a chance

In business sports stories are often used as metaphors to make a point and the recent story of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer performance as Manchester United’s Manager is one to note for clients and recruiters.

Please note that I do appreciate that not everyone likes football or has even heard of the protagonist in my story …..please read on and allow me to appeal to your sense of patience …and who doesn’t like a short relevant story anyway !!

It is often the case that the underdog candidate doesn’t make it to their ideal job due to a recruiter and a client not believing they have the required experience, gravitas or whatever else for a position.

In the case of Manchester United a few months back nobody would have backed Ole to be the man for the job – but his performance has made him a genuine long-term contender. His desire, self-motivation and genuine ability have played (excuse the pun) a part in getting the best out of the team he is managing. It would be wrong of me to ignore the supporters of other teams at this point who may not wish him well – I appreciate the tribal nature and fierce loyalty that saturates the game.

The story resonates with me as clients can often overlook a candidate for a job because on paper they don’t look right and then by accident rather than design they are given the chance and proceed to excel …just like Ole.

The sports story has of course not run its course as he is still deemed an interim solution and we will have to wait and see if it is to be permanent. As recruiters and clients let us give the chance to candidates who have the self-determination, motivation and desire to prove their worth – they often turn out to be absolutely the perfect fit if given the chance to apply what they know.