Have you heard? There are 100 finalists for the job opening called “Mars Astronaut.” That is right, an organization (www.mars-one.com) is planning a manned mission to Mars on 2024. They are narrowing down their candidate shortlist. There are many interesting facts about this trip on this site but here are a few I have read about on various sites:
- 24 people will be selected from the 100
- Cost of the mission is estimated at $6.0 Billion
- The trip will take more than 200 days
- No one is returning to Earth…aka one-way!
- Astronauts could start dying in less than 100 days due to oxygen issues
This got me thinking about really difficult recruiter assignments. This assignment might be easy when it is new and there is a novelty about the “position” as there is now. In time, this would be a very challenging position for global recruiters to work. I currently think about global assignments as being difficult to attract and gain candidate commitment for, but what about those not even on our globe?
The position description is not listed on the site but the characteristics of the successful candidate are. The major requirements for this extra global assignment are resiliency, adaptability, curiosity, ability to trust, and creativity. I think I would add thrill seeker, death wish orientation, and good in tight spaces. Those with close friends and good family relationships need not apply.
Sounds like the key characteristics for a recruiter too!