A corporate recruiter- friend in the states told me recently that his job has transformed from searching for qualified candidates, to wading through literally hundreds of resumes for one position. Given the reality of the job market, recruiters now have the luxury of hiring people who are absolutely qualified for their openings.
This is what you can assume if you have answered any ad: you are one of literally hundreds of candidates. The recruiter or hiring manager will take possibly 1-2 minutes to skim your resume to see if you meet qualifications. If he/she does not see a match based on this rapid review, your resume will be placed in a pile with hundreds of others. But SOMEONE or (many) will get the job(s)! I would like to help it be you, if that is your wish.
I have done hundreds of interviews for a variety of jobs, both “blue collar” and "white collar". These tips are based on my opinion only, other recruiters may disagree. I have used alot of "don't's below, forgive that! Anyway, here goes!
Some General Suggestions:
1. NETWORK! Use your contacts, use your contacts, use your contacts when applying for a job. Did I mention using your contacts? This is absolutely best way to get an interview and a new job, no question about it. Someone within the company (or someone whose opinion is valued by the hiring manager) who has recommended you puts you ahead of all other candidates for the job . Anyone who can recommend you will give you an advantage. And the higher your friend is in the company job-title wise, the better chance you will have. Talk to all of your colleagues and bosses, former and current. friends, relatives, acquaintances, and if you can get a contact, even if you don’t know the person well, do so. If you have had a positive working relationship with former bosses, call them and see if they can help. Do you belong to Facebook? Use it for contacts. Do you belong to LinkedIn? Use it for contacts. Join networking-oriented groups and use them.
2. ASK YOUR CONTACT TO CALL THE HIRING MANAGER ON YOUR BEHALF (if appropriate) If you can get to the recruiter or hiring manager using your REFERRAL via telephone or email, do so. Obviously not as a pest, but to have a brief chat so that you stand out as a candidate.
3. USE A HEADHUNTER/RECRUITER (at no fee to you) if you can. You will probably first have to respond to a job-opening ad the agency has placed. If your experience is senior enough, you may use an executive recruiter. Make no mistake; recruiters will not work with you if they do not believe they can make money from placing you. So, if a recruiter agrees to work with you as a candidate that is a very positive sign. A recruiter/headhunter can save you a lot of work. There are specialty placement firms, for example for executives, for Human Resources people and for IT people. Use one of them if you can. Speak with a recruiter on staff and talk to them about your job possibilities. I do not believe in candidate- paid fees to headhunters, but I understand the realities of the job market. If you do pay a headhunter or an on-line service that entitles you to search job openings, speak with someone in the agency first, at length, and make sure you trust them. There are never “guarantees,” but do ensure they are trustworthy.
4. DON’T WASTE TIME ON NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL JOB OPPORTUNITY WEBSITES, like Monster board for example. (There is one exception and that is a job for which you are well- qualified within your own regional area.) These sites just receive too many candidates to allow even qualified ones to be seen. If you want to use them, post your resume on the site. And you can also get a good sense of what kinds of jobs are actually open, by looking at the list of openings. In my opinion these sites are helpful only for information.
5. DON’T EXPECT TO BE RELOCATED. Apply for jobs within your area. If you plan to relocate to another city tell the company you do, give them a relocation date, and do not imply your coming to that city is dependent on their hiring you. Tell them you are definitely relocating. Tell them you will come for an interview at anytime at your own expense.
Cover Letter/Resume:
When you identify a job for which you are qualified, write a 1-page cover letter addressing exactly why and how, succinctly, you meet each major job requirement. Express your sincere desire to be considered for the position. Mention anyone you know that the recruiter or hiring manager may know (who will speak highly of you.) In fact if you can say: “I was referred to by our mutual friend, Joe Smith, Manager IT”, if you can’t get Joe to call for you! If you do not meet the majority of requirements do not apply (and do not say “I can learn” in your cover letter for any requirement).
Here is an example of a cover letter format, for a Customer Service Manager position. Many recruiters like this format:
Your requirements My qualifications
5+ years as a CS Manager in Telecoms 7 years CS Manager with Nortel
Management of teams to 50 Managed 2 teams of up to 75 people Responsible for customer satisfaction Customer survey feedback consistently 95% high
(Demonstrated success)
Your resume will "fill in the gaps" here, but you have addressed their requirements in your cover letter. Ensure your resume is accurate and up to date. Your resume will reflect your background and should be written with the job you apply for in mind. That means you may have to redo your resume every time you apply for a job. Your resume should be no more than 2 pages plus a one-page cover letter (if you are in Europe, it may be longer). Your resume should emphasize achievements in each position you have held. Be prepared with references, names, numbers, and letters already written on your behalf, if you can. There is lots of online help with resume writing, use it if you are in doubt about your resume. Attach a picture if you can.
Do apply for jobs for which you are absolutely qualified –but not too overqualified (for example, it is an individual contributor, and you have been a Manager or Director-level. Companies may believe you will leave as soon as you find a better job, or will want to promote within too quickly.) Do not apply for a "Trainee" position unless you are applying for a specifically posted trainee position and meet all requirements.
Interviewing and Pre-Screening
1. Expect to be telephone-screened or answer a few questions by email before you are invited in. This may be done by a recruiter in the company or by the hiring manager. Do not say you will wait and explain your background in person to the hiring manager. Whomever you speak to first will probably have the power to weed you out as a candidate. If you appear relunctant to speak, insincere or lack communication skills you will probably be weeded out.
2. Say “my position was downsized” if you have been laid off (made redundant). This makes it less about you and more about your job being eliminated.
3. In all interviews, listen carefully, and answer all questions thoroughly and succinctly. If you are an Extrovert, remember not to talk too much, if you are an Introvert, be sure to be thorough in your explanations and responses.
4. Be prepared to discuss your background in-depth. Be prepared with examples. If you get the dreaded (and ridiculous) “what are your weaknesses” question, make sure your response is not too dramatic. I have had people say in interviews: “I seem to always have a problem with my boss.” Think carefully about a non-provocative response such as, “I am sometimes impatient with myself”.
5. Be sincere. You are also being looked at as a colleague and contributor. Interviewers/hiring Managers want to work with someone they can get along with.
6. Good interviewers will always ask you for examples, so be prepared to discuss the details of your work experience in a positive way. Sell yourself! Be candid about your career accomplishments!
7. Do not try to “convince” a recruiter/hiring manager you are qualified for a job if he/she has indicated you aren’t appropriate for it.
8. Do your homework before the interview, look up the company on the internet, talk with your contact, and find out as much as you can. Be prepared with a few questions of your own. (“What do you like most personally about your job, or this company? What do you find most challenging? What was the effect of the recent reorganization? Get the interviewer to speak.) Don’t ask what the pay is or what you can expect to get paid at the first interview, unless the interview is for a “nonexempt” –blue collar type position, in a factory or retail store for example. Typically in that situation the salary and hours will be explained. If you are exempt-level expect to be asked what your salary expectations are.
9. Salary expectation: If you need a suggestion: State your most recent salary and say you are “negotiable.” Do not give a specific figure or say you will not work for less than any amount. Hoever do not refuse to discuss the issue of salary. I have eliminated candidates who refused to discuss salary with me. Salary expectations are one of the criteria for determining eligibility, so I suggest you stay flexible but be honest about what you have earned previously.
10. It is not recommended to ask about vacations or time off at the first-interview stage. Some of issues I am raising here may sound silly to you, but you would be surprised at the things people sometimes say and ask in interviews!
11. Ensure there is a follow-up plan at the closure of your conversation: know when you can reasonably expect to hear from the recruiter (just ask if it hasn;t been communicated to you). If appropriate ask when you can call back. Ask if there will be further interviews if appropriate. Get a business card. This is as much as you can do. If you do not hear from the company again, I apologize –for them! Companies usually do send out letters via email or post, but sometimes you will never hear from them again. A sad truth. If however you have been referred by a contact, you are more likely to hear from the company, even if the news isn't good.
12. If you are a final candidate you will probably be asked to come back and speak with several people in the company. Expect that (it is good news!) and remain flexible. 13. Be yourself! Be as relaxed as you can be. Interviewing is stressful for almost everyone. It is especially stressful if you are in a personal crisis situation. But remember your demeanor is being assessed also. If you are perceived as distressed or in crisis that will not help you.
I have outlined what I see as many of the important steps in getting an interview. *In part 2 I will discuss the “soft” side –that is, how you FEEL, how you act, and exercises you can do before you apply for a job -- to get an interview and to present yourself as your very best self!
With warm regards, Jill
Please contact me at jill444@counselingjob.nethttp://www.counselingjob.net/
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