TURNING CRITICISM INTO A POSITIVE

Criticism 

Last week a candidate ripped me a new one.  It seems he took offense to my critique of his resume, and he sent me a long e-mail criticizing me, my business, my website, my writing style, and my grammar. It was unfortunate because the guy has a great background and I can use him for an opening I have in Seattle.  (I may still call him.)

Upon reflection of what he wrote, I took the time to review his criticism and came to the conclusion that he was partially right, and I have made adjustments.  I sent him an e-mail thanking him for his opinion, and that I understood his frustration at him having been laid off from his company.  I’m not sure he will contact me, but that’s the way it goes.  I have thick skin.

I provide critiques of people’s resumes on a daily basis and have been doing so for 35 years.  99% of the people thank me for my critique, and then there are those who feel that they are just too good for criticism and will respond in a nasty manner.  Many years ago, a candidate got very agitated and personal with me ( he was a keyboard hero who was e-mailing me from across the country late into the evening.)  I was trying to communicate with him in a very professional and gracious manner which only made him angrier.  I decided to shut it down for the night.  The next day I rewrote his resume for him and gave him a lead on a company looking to hire a National Sales Manager.  Not a word.  Not a thank you. Three months later he called me.  He had contacted the lead I had given him, he interviewed and was hired as the National Sales Manager.  He profusely apologized for his previous actions and then asked me to fill six regional positions.  We are friends to this very day.

If you are criticized you can do one of two things.  You can scream and yell and insult the person, or you can take the criticism and learn from it.  Professionals offering well meaning advice are doing so out of goodness.  Sales people who have thick skin are more well respected than people who let their ego get in the way.

Listen to people giving advice.  Learn from them.  Treat antagonistic people with kindness.  And learn to turn negative situations into positive situations.  It will pay off in the long run.

Your comments and yes, critiques are always welcome here. Please feel free to leave a comment below.