The numbers of people applying for jobs these days has grown to enormous proportions.On average, 200 people apply for every vacancy, depending on the level of experience and qualifications required.
Clearly the non-skilled and semi-skilled marketplace is much more competitive.
HR departments are over busy trying to sift and filter applications and review candidates' applications, using a wide variety of strategies, approaches and homemade tools. Innovation in this area has grown enormously and led to some imaginary and dubious selection methods being adopted, one of which is posted here.
This innovative method is called: Watching how candidates cross the street.
Location, location, location
Now the first problem with this approach is, location. It can be difficult to arrange for an interviewee to cross the street within view of the HR interviewer. Perhaps they need to cross the road to enter your building, if not try to arrange for the interview to be held at a local Starbucks, cafe or restaurant. As long as it is near a busy road. Any reasonably busy city street will do.
Close Observation
The next skill is to be able to watch carefully and take notes. There is little need to undertake secret videotaping, but you can if it is particularly interesting to you.
The innovative thinking on this approach is that these few seconds of interactivity involving a sprinkle of stress / problem solving /danger, will tell you more about their workplace capabilities than an hour of tough questioning.
Consider the five standard types of crosswalkers and how it is claimed, they would perform in the workplace:
The Matador(ess).
A fearless player, the Matador(ess) flaunts their vulnerability. They think nothing of daring the cars and taxis with their elegant dance and slalom through traffic. Pedestrian crossings are just paint on the road to a Matador(ess). Red lights are mere street decorations.
The Matador(ess) cares not if the oncoming traffic shows no sign of swerving or stopping and will risk the possibility of a glancing blow.
Best Roles: These people are best suited to be entrepreneurs, super sales makers /closers, high risk financial mavericks, etc.
Caution! They are also likely to be reckless, head-strong, egotistical and difficult to control. They will need strong leadership and strategic management.
The Wader.
Bold but more attentive than fearless, the Wader is determined and eager to cross, demonstrating ample initiative but a little more common sense and less risk.
Waders may also be on the phone and texting while they are on the move but they will desist when venturing into traffic. They will consider that getting struck by any part of a vehicle, however minor, is a bad thing.
They will eagerly follow a Matador(ess) and let them run interference, slowing traffic and creating a diversion, taking advantage of any safe opening created. While the Matador(ess) is testing their luck and confronting taxi drivers, the Wader will skip to the other side first, with little effort and time to spare.
Best Roles: Excellent CEOs, vice presidents, software designers, project leaders and design heads.
Caution! They can be attentive team players, sensitive to the feelings and emotion of others but can also be non-confrontational, evasive, manipulative, somewhat Machiavellian in approach etc. and will need an intelligent leader that can see the multi-plays in motion and use the excellent team attributes on offer.
The TextWalker.
Having mastered typing, talking and walking at once, the TextWalker tends to forget that crossing a busy road is 'real' life and tapping keys on a little plastic box, is 'virtual reality'. The division between the real world and Second Life is difficult for them to sustain.
TextWalkers may appear to be assertive on the surface, a bit like the Waders or even a pseudo Matador(ess), but they have one critical distinction—progress in their case, is not so much to do with crossing the road but in moving forward with the multiple tasks and ideas that they started in the early hours of the morning.
So progress, e.g. crossing the road to get to an interview or to achieve a specific task, can be more illusionary or conceptual.
The Textwalker will meander, drift, and even pause for thought and re-assimilation midway. They may even retreat momentarily before moving forward again.
They lack the single-mindedness, concentration or presence of mind to stay on task. Especially if that task is mundane or unchallenging.
Best Roles: They are creative thinkers, conceptual designers and programmers. They exhibit creative flashes of raw talent.
Caution!: They are ill-suited and in this form, not yet ready for management or higher-levels of responsibilities and are difficult to integrate as team players. They can lack structure and good communication strategies.
They will require a good paternal leader that can capture their enthusiasm and creativeness and channel them effectively. Someone who has the time and energy and can coach and mentor them in a structured and methodical way.
The Light Jumper.
The Light Jumper is an opportunist. They start out determined to comply and follow the letter of the law, but they are impatient. So, when the crossing light turns from Green to flashing yellow, they can’t help but jump.
The placid, rational Dr. Jekyll becomes Mr. Hyde and once they have embarked on their course, nothing is going to deter them. A Light Jumper is not above shouting and glaring at motorists who narrowly miss them, even though the traffic have the right of way.
Best Roles: Strong civil rights lawyers, human rights campaigners and charismatic managers with badly hidden tattoos.
Caution! These people are looking for a 'cause' or a 'calling' and are excellent drivers in charities and non-profit organisations. They need managers with high scruples and integrity because once they are disillusioned they will become very 'anti' and strongly negative.
The Kerb Huggers.
No matter how empty the road is, Kerb Huggers would never dream of stepping off the pavement and onto the crossing before they have the 'authority' to do so. They will not move a second earlier than the law, or the “Walk” sign, allows.
Ironically, Kerb Huggers rarely make it across the road before the light turns red and, by delaying their walk across the road, they are often victims of anyone who enjoys jumping red lights. Kerb huggers sometimes find themselves having to run or jump the remaining yard or two.
Best Roles: Compliant tax accountants, statisticians, quality management, regulatory or rules-based occupations. Excellent at scheduling, writing agendas and attending meetings, especially when the purpose is to schedule new meetings, if it's on the agenda.
Caution! This group of people are possibly unexciting but easily managed. If you have a suitable rule book that covers all circumstances, just give them that and ask them to check in occasionally. They are not creative or imaginative risk takers and should not be expected to do anything other than follow instructions.
Anecdote
At the risk of re-enforcing misconceptions of stereotypes, I have seen people standing at a pedestrian stop sign at 02.00 am in the middle of the night, waiting for the lights to change to green, when there is no traffic and no threat of traffic for several hours. They will not cross the road until the light changes to green, under any circumstances.
Unfortunately, in my experience, this occurs most often in England, Germany and Sweden but don't take my word for it, set your alarm clock for the middle of the night and go see for yourself.
Let me leave you with another thought; How do you cross the street, and what does that say about your personality and outlook on life?
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