It seems when many companies are seeking so-called "career-oriented" individuals, they're actually looking for someone who's “plug and play.” Many businesses just want free agents with measurable skills which are list-able on a resume. Many job descriptions seem to use the term career-oriented to get applicants excited. But, the best people I think companies should look to hire are a different sort of oriented.
You have to take risks to be highly successful. There are businesses famous for hiring risk-taking individuals who have had some successes. Others buy start-ups from upstart entrepreneurs for great sums of money or stock options. But, of course, most people don't have the next big thing always ready to purchase. Still, many businesses seem reluctant to hire individuals focused on success through risk taking and bending the rules. They seem even more reluctant to hire struggling or failed entrepreneurs, even if the talent they’re looking for is there. They want to "play it safe."
There may be reason for that. A lot of companies are too well aware of the high numbers of individuals in the market for any job they can find. I know this from personal experience. I've moonlighted as a research recruiter in the past. Many people who appear over-qualified for a position just by their resume sometimes greatly exaggerate. Sadly, a lot of individuals who are actually qualified companies don't hire. They want some specific skill or knowledge that they won't bother to train, even if the applicant is capable of learning them.
Even more sadly, some individuals want something to tide them over until they can find something “better.” And what company wants to hire someone, only to have them leave? Sometimes there are seemingly highly-qualified individuals who are only looking for some job to have for a certain period of time in order to re-qualify for unemployment benefits. While there aren’t a ton of people out there trying to game the system like that, they do exist. Character is everything in hiring, and that’s what companies should be hiring for.
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of unemployed people, so many individuals are in the career of temp jobs. So many companies will simply take anyone desperate through a staffing firm and hope someone sticks. Even then, these positions end up with very high turnover rates because the pay is too low to keep the Temps motivated. Or more often, the company is being too picky and making unrealistic expectations of what they'll find elsewhere. That’s why you end up with so many seasonal jobs. Companies seem to be becoming increasingly reluctant to hire full-time employees, unless absolutely necessary, for certain positions.
Most of the best individuals that I would call career-oriented are people in jobs that don't pay them what they're worth. Or they are freelancers that are in heavy competition with one another. This would also include entrepreneurs who have had solid success but are looking for something more stable. There's also finding highly motivated and trainable kids out of school. but most companies today prefer experience over trainable types. Experience is always preferred, of course. But it’s even more true now.
What do you think it means to be career-oriented? Is it some HR jargon that means sticking to one career position? A lot of what I have seen advertised as career positions aren't too appealing to me, especially if you want to be financially independent. I'd love to hear your thoughts.