Using the Baldrige Criteria for a More Effective Job Search

I am grateful for the opportunity to work for the Baldrige Program. We’re blessed with an engaged community of Baldrige practitioners—folks who have served as examiners at all levels, across the country. These practitioners not only understand but have often mastered how to use the Baldrige Excellence Framework, which includes the Criteria for Performance Excellence. They share a spirit of giving back to help others improve, and in so doing, help the nation.

Not long ago, I came across a post by Baldrige alumnus examiner Suresh Nirody, assistant vice president of the supply chain for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He shared a novel use of the Baldrige Criteria—as a job search and interview tool.

His idea is to use the Organizational Profile, the preface of the Criteria, to ground yourself in the organization to which you are applying for a job. The Organizational Profile is intended to be used to create an overview of an organization, from its environment and relationships to its competitive position, strategic context, and performance improvement system. By answering the questions contained in the Organization Profile, one can figure out the factors that are of the greatest importance to the organization—what makes that potential employer tick.

“When researching a particular company that you have targeted as a possible future employer, the Baldrige Organization Profile provides an excellent framework to use,” says Nirody. “Research the company and look for answers to the questions in the profile. This will stand you in good stead.

“First, it will help you develop a better understanding of the company,” explains Nirody. “It can clarify if you really want to work for that company, and it can help you determine if you might be a good fit.

“Second, it can provide information that you can use in the interview process to show that you understand various aspects of the company, such as its challenges.

“And third, you can use the framework to help you formulate consequential questions, so when the interviewer asks you for your questions, you ask about critical-to-success items such as core competencies or strategic challenges.”

What tips do you have for ways to use the Baldrige Framework and Criteria?

First published March 17, 2015, on the Blogrige.

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