How do you deal with or judge someone’s character? I meet so many people on a daily basis. The diversity of skill and quality are overwhelming. My job is to meet, greet, get inside their head and quickly process how talented they are. What are their skills and how good are they? These meetings are brief – I need to make an assessment quickly. The portfolios, the conversations tell me many things about the work they do and what they have accomplished while on the job. I evaluate and decide to either represent them…..or not. Is this someone I want to put in front of a client? Clients are discerning and I work hard to earn their trust. They expect something special every time. Admittedly, whom I present may not be special or unique, but my clients know they will be damn good at what they do.
I make one guarantee – I will not waste the client’s time.
Talent aside, the final test for me is character. What kind of ‘person’ are they? The skills are telling but fill only one category. It’s not a matter of personality – good or bad. But, is there substance behind this person? Before I present someone, I need to know or at least have some sense of what their makeup is. What is their true tone? Do I believe in them? Without question – I need to believe in their ability and the work that supports the capabilities – but do I believe in them? Is there integrity behind this talent? Important for me to feel that. It rounds them off. It completes my assessment and establishes the part I like most about what I do. It is the foundation for a working relationship. It establishes confidence in each other.
That is not on the resume. That is in the heart and it should appear during the interview. You will need to ask the right questions and direct the conversation in order to make that determination. Make no mistake – it’s your job to look for and find integrity.