Keep Your Opinions to Yourself... If you want a promotion or job offer.
We live in America, arguably the best place in the world to live. And the Occupy Wall Street movement is one example of why. We have constitutional rights. Regardless of which side of a question you are on, Americans have the right to voice their opinion. Yet, if you are going for a promotion or looking for a new job, your opinion could lose you an opportunity.
While we all have the right of free speech, hiring managers tend to make hiring decisions on more than just skills. There are three things that hiring managers are looking for from the candidates they consider.
In Chicago we have a great rivalry between the Sox and the Cubs. One place I’m aware of asks the question at the end of their interviews: “Sox or Cubs?” For them it’s not a serious question, but the best answer I ever heard was: “I really don’t follow football.” In fact she was joking and got the job, but more importantly she avoiding annoying anyone.
That’s the problem with sharing your opinions; you never know who will be annoyed. A prospective co-worker or future boss could have a problem working with someone who “thinks that way.” Especially in this time of polar opposition in our society, it’s best to save your opinions for when you are at home.
We live in America, arguably the best place in the world to live. And the Occupy Wall Street movement is one example of why. We have constitutional rights. Regardless of which side of a question you are on, Americans have the right to voice their opinion. Yet, if you are going for a promotion or looking for a new job, your opinion could lose you an opportunity.
While we all have the right of free speech, hiring managers tend to make hiring decisions on more than just skills. There are three things that hiring managers are looking for from the candidates they consider.
- Can you do the job?
- What motivates you to do the job?
- Will you fit into the culture around the job?
In Chicago we have a great rivalry between the Sox and the Cubs. One place I’m aware of asks the question at the end of their interviews: “Sox or Cubs?” For them it’s not a serious question, but the best answer I ever heard was: “I really don’t follow football.” In fact she was joking and got the job, but more importantly she avoiding annoying anyone.
That’s the problem with sharing your opinions; you never know who will be annoyed. A prospective co-worker or future boss could have a problem working with someone who “thinks that way.” Especially in this time of polar opposition in our society, it’s best to save your opinions for when you are at home.
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