Hiring managers can gain a great deal of insight into job candidates without even seeing them. A craftfully and creatively designed job application can give you an invaluable quick snapshot, first glimpse into their mind and motivations. If they have something on-the-ball, or not, the response to even one imaginative question may save you time or tweak your curiosity. Here�s how.

One hotel includes the following question on their job application �Why are you qualified to perform the job/s for which you are applying?�

The responses have been interesting. And over the years they�ve compiled a list of the most humorous. Some of the best are quoted below:

• �I�m very professional and generally in a good mood.�
• �I�m a mother and I am very clean.�
• �Working in a hospital has given me some experience in dealing with patient care.�
• Well, I believe I�m qualified not mentally but physically for the job functions.�
• I stay on task and love laundry (just the smell).�
• I got two plagues for 24th and 11th place for state in bowling�
• I have two kids and one messy boyfriend so I know how to clean really good.�
• �I�m qualified to be a terrorist because I know food service.� (The job was as a busperson for their buffet - served on the hotel�s terrace.)

To meet ever-increasing guest expectations hiring authorities must delve into the motivations of - and judge deliberately - each candidate�s potential to create value.  And never fail to select quality over quantity.

(By the way, some of the quoted job candidates were hired and performed successfully.)

Mr. Gravish is a human resources professional with over 25 years leadership experience in numerous customer-service organizations. He is an advocate of building profitability and success through, and by, people � first.

Joseph M. Gravish
[email protected]