ML56 – Efficiency is Not Always Effectiveness, Weed Out The Weak with Steve Acho

Steve Acho is an expert in adding more human to the hiring process. He is the author of Why Technology Recruiting is Broken and What to Do About it and earned his MBA while living in Japan and working for the CEO of Mazda. From there he went in to consulting with Fortune 100s and currently operates the Detroit based technology staffing firm Solstice Consulting Group.

Steve Acho

Episode Summary: Efficiency is Not Always Effectiveness, Weed Out The Weak with Steve Acho

  • Most people who travel in the East either LOVE it or HATE it.
  • Detroit is becoming a tech hub
  • The typical resume is not linear any longer
    • By design, by choice
    • People are not looking for long term jobs
    • Solve problems in multiple industries
  • Has social media affected our employment choices, scrolling and change quickly
  • Are we ADD because of how we were raised or are we that way and the media has adjusted to meet our needs?
    • Chicken and the egg scenario
  • An interesting time in our history- we are forced to fight our ADD
  • Being present is so important
  • I am a delusional optimist
  • The 3 Rs
    • Your reputation
    • Resume
    • Rolodex
  • Describe the work in terms of the outcomes
  • A job application is just a proposal
    • Propose to solve the problem
    • But our job descriptions focus on what you are, not the outcomes you can deliver
  • Technology has made it easier for employers to screen applicants, but it has also for applicants to mass apply to numerous jobs
  • Efficiency doesn’t mean effectiveness
  • Steps to better hiring
    • Make sure the job description has performance objectives
      • The 3-5 most important things the person must do to be effective
      • Each bullet must start with a verb
      • Trick- think of a performance review, not a job description
    • Applying should be the starting of a conversation
    • Create a short 30 second video to introduce self
  • I am forced to assume that most people never read the details, the job description
  • Job seeking, and granting, is a business transaction- an even exchange
    • Make the process more human
    • You don’t have to weed out the weak. The weak are happy to do that for you
  • The best career (job seeking) advice: know yourself and what you really want
    • Prioritize actually do work
    • Go volunteer
  • Online applications are statistically the least likely job search effort to result in a job (1 in 250)

Listen to the Audio

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Learning From Leaders: 

Current Book: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

Best Movie Ever: The Last Jedi

Leadership Superpower: Empathy

Motivational Mantra:

[shareable]Don’t confuse motion with action[/shareable]

Best Book Ever: The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

Additional Items Mentioned

Steve’s website: steveachoresources.com

Freebees from the podcast interview with Steve Acho are here: www.SteveAchoResources.com/ml
Here you’ll be able to get a short summary of his book, watch an exclusive video that gives tactical advice on hiring and getting hired, and schedule a free 20-minute consultation.

Check out Steve’s Spotify channel for some great acoustic music

About the author

Jake Carlson is a popular speaker, accountability partner, and host of the Modern Leadership podcast. Jake built his business while traveling with his family around the world. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. Read more about him here.