Gift Of The Gab Now To Get A Job?

Truegho

Do you think that most employers place too much emphasis now on candidates having the "gift of the gab" rather than professional qualifications and work experience? Because it seems to me that in a lot of these job interviews, they like you to talk and talk. The structured interviews (usually used by the Civil Service) and retail role play ones are particularly notable for liking applicants to be extensiverly verbose.

If I were an employer, I would much prefer somebody who could do the job (e.g. work a computer) rather than somebody with the gift of the gab.

These employers should realise that not everybody is chatty. Whatever happened to the good old days when bosses didn't care if you were gabby or not; just as long as you kept your head down and got on with the work.

maninthestreet

Nothing new, always been like that, in my experience.

paddyrg

IT companies tend to appreciate some of the best computer bods are not social people.

denla

paddyrg wrote: »

IT companies tend to appreciate some of the best computer bods are not social people.

Not always true. I went to interviews for several IT companies before and the vibe I got is they wanted a really sociable person to do some programming in their windowless basement floor...

Who?_me?

Every person interviewed at the moment will be more than capable of getting their heads down and getting on with the job, the right qualifications etc. I would think that the "gift of the gab" is simply being able to sell yourself at interview, and depending on the job role, speak confidently with clarity on a range of topics. Employers are also looking for some one who will fit into the team/ the company image, that your face fits.

coinxoperated

'Gift of the Gab' is all about you selling yourself to the employer! They have you CV, they know what you've done - you need to fit in with the team!

Sambucus_Nigra

Truegho wrote: »

If I were an employer, I would much prefer somebody who could do the job (e.g. work a computer) rather than somebody with the gift of the gab.

How would you find this out at interview without the person talking to you about how they work and what they have done?

miduck

Truegho wrote: »

The structured interviews (usually used by the Civil Service) and retail role play ones are particularly notable for liking applicants to be extensiverly verbose.

No, the civil service require you to give sufficient information to show that you meet the specified criteria. There is no reason why this cannot be done succinctly.

Takeaway_Addict

Truegho wrote: »

Do you think that most employers place too much emphasis now on candidates having the "gift of the gab" rather than professional qualifications and work experience? Because it seems to me that in a lot of these job interviews, they like you to talk and talk. The structured interviews (usually used by the Civil Service) and retail role play ones are particularly notable for liking applicants to be extensiverly verbose.

If I were an employer, I would much prefer somebody who could do the job (e.g. work a computer) rather than somebody with the gift of the gab.

These employers should realise that not everybody is chatty. Whatever happened to the good old days when bosses didn't care if you were gabby or not; just as long as you kept your head down and got on with the work.

Actually employers would be better of hiring those that have a good personality because that goes alot further than someone who has all skills as in most jobs these skills can be taught.


Attitude and Personality over skills for me (on the whole, obv some jobs need certain qualifications etc)

axomoxia

The ability to communicate is what is needed.....

sapphireeye

I worked for a company that did an employee survey every year and one of the questions on there was 'Do you have a best friend at work?' and I asked why the question was on there and apparently research shows that people who have a good friend or a group of friends at work are more likely to stay working there rather than moving on and so the company can promote internally/save money on recruitment costs. Of that company it certainly seemed to be true as it was very sociable with a lot of people having close friends at work and the majority of the staff seemed to move around within the company rather than look elsewhere.

So I suppose if you have 'the gift of the gab' and come across as a social person then you look like you're more likely to be able to get on well with your team, make friends, be happy and not move on?