The Key Factor: Understanding the Employer's Perspective on Hiring

I’ve worked as a consultant for decades with corporate clients in employee hiring, development, and retention. For me, Casineanu’s clear focus on the EMPLOYER’S perspective on the tough challenge of hiring a new employee is one of the most valuable aspects of this book. It’s all too often the part of the job application and interviewing process candidates overlook—to their detriment. Just as important, she helps readers view their job search through the critical lens of their own self-limiting assumptions and behaviors—inadvertent but correctable mistakes that can derail a job search or interview. It is rich with illustrative stories, sharp flashes of inspiration, deeply revealing insights, and expert tips drawn from Casineanu’s decades of experience. In reading the book, you feel like you’re having a personal conversation with Gabriela. This book will have special resonance for introverts who often struggle to develop and express the essential assertive skills required to succeed in a job search. But anyone engaged in a job search will find in this book exactly what its title promises: the Key Factor in gaining a position in a company or organization you would actually like to work for.

It's Not Only About You! The stress of looking for a job makes most job-seekers understandably self-focused. In this book, Gabriela Casineanu helps job-seekers pick their heads up to see the bigger picture. Through her clear writing and examples, she not only explains the importance of understanding the employer's perspective on hiring (they are nervous too!), but she offers implementable strategies for job candidates to build and communicate empathy with a potential employer. As a career coach myself, I know to be true how frequently job seekers get so wrapped up in themselves that they miss fundamental and critical steps in marketing themselves. This book provides invaluable tips to increase your chances of success.

Essential Reading Before Your Next Job Interview. The author is experienced and well-studied in teaching and coaching job seekers. Her approach to the job interview process is novel and genius: focus on the employer's needs before your own. When you make it all about them, it quells your fear of rejection. It becomes more about fit, alignment, and negotiation. If you want to be prepared for your next interview, this book will get you there in the shortest time. The wisdom you'll find here is priceless. As someone who has been on both sides—as candidate and as hiring officer—I recognize Ms. Casineanu's books as critical reading for anyone who wants a strategic career path. This book is a great place to start. It walks you through mind-set, motivation, strategy, and self-marketing for a successful search. Highly recommended for anyone who wants their next great opportunity, hiring managers, coaches, HR specialists, or anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how talent meets need in today’s competitive market!

How a shift in perspective affects job search results. The author skillfully presents the job search journey from different angles. Whether you’ve read tons of literature on the subject before opening this book or not, prepare yourself for an epiphany; like the person mentioned in the book who was so tired of unsuccessfully looking for a job that he avoided eye contact due to his vanishing confidence… until his coach (incidentally the author) gave him advice that changed the way he saw himself. A must-read!

This is not just a book about understanding the perspectives of the employer. It will also help the job seekers reflect on themselves, their approach, strategies, and attitude in the job-hunting process. I love the practicality of this book as it's also based on the first-hand experience of the author—which makes the book a more interesting read. It is clearly written and enriched with examples and tips to make one understand the cycle of the hiring process and—most importantly—the employer's point of view. Every job seeker should have this book.