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| Stay Afloat in the Crowded Candidate Pool |
Drowning in competition is all too easy these days. Recruiters meet with multiple individuals on a daily basis who are interested in the same opportunity, and it is their responsibility to determine who is the most qualified for that position. Businesses choose to utilize recruiting and search firms to seek out quality, not quantity. As with any task that requires extreme diligence, comparison, and evaluation, it takes a substantial amount of time and patience to organize candidates based upon education, experience, and skills. A candidate group, or “candidate pool” as it is commonly referred to, can only be created once many individuals are interviewed. Only after processing the applications, completing background screens, conducting reference checks, compiling test scores, and comparing notes can applicants be considered for a particular position. As the recruiting process continues, the candidate pool becomes smaller and smaller until one outstanding individual is left with a job offer. There are obvious qualifications such as having strong computer skills or superior communication capabilities that keep the job seeker drifting with other applicants, however, there are also a few key tips on how to not only stay afloat in the candidate pool, but to swim ahead of the competition.
Avoid being overly persistent. It is very important to stay in touch with the recruiter after an interview to show continued interest and to keep your information fresh on their mind, however, calling and/or e-mailing on a daily or even hourly basis quickly becomes very distracting and frustrating. Again, it takes time to process applicant information and to build a basis for comparison. Competition is fierce, especially in the recruiting world, so being patient is very important. Even if you are not chosen as the most qualified applicant for this position, it certainly doesn’t mean you can’t make it to the top in the next round. Don’t eliminate your future possibilities by wearing out your resources now.
Please be honest. Recruiters put a lot of time and effort into convincing a client you are the one they need for their open position. Do not try to sell yourself as something you are not, or advertise yourself as being open to different things when you really have different requirements in mind. Being upfront with salary, location, availability, and environment are crucial to keeping you, the recruiter, and the client happy. Opportunities frequently change – what we don’t have today, we might have tomorrow – and vice versa. Never assume that employers will be flexible on their hours, either. That 8am-5pm or noon-9pm shift is advertised for a good reason – that is when support is needed. Don’t try to alter your qualifications or requirements out of desperation. Being honest, as well as reasonable, will allow the best results in any situation.
Please be realistic. It is a recruiter’s goal to find the perfect employment opportunity for all skilled candidates they interview. This match must be between the individual and the client, so no match means no chance at this position. Clients do not hire outside employment resources to find candidates that are not qualified for their open positions. Recruiting firms generally offer multiple opportunities, and the extensive variation in job requirements, schedules, and salary can provide any realistic candidate at least one great employment opportunity in their field!
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| Enthusiasm – Don’t Leave Home Without It |
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The interview process can be very stressful for any experienced individual. After you compose a resume, send it to a prospective employer, follow up with Human Resources, complete a phone screen, schedule an interview and fill out an application, you are finally directed to a room where you patiently wait to be interviewed face-to-face. Despite what you may have thought before, it wasn’t until now that you officially had your foot in the door. You may have been down this road before - this may even be your third interview today – but this is certainly not the time to lose your enthusiasm! Inattentiveness and low energy never indicate interest in a position. Your actions often speak louder than words - don’t assume that a recruiter can read your mind. Leave the long day at home and perk up with these simple interview tips:
Attentive behavior starts with your posture. Do not slouch in your chair, lean your head against the wall, or hunch over as if you were about to fall asleep. This body language always suggests boredom. You have made it this far, so don’t make the recruiter feel like they are wasting your time! Let them know that you are excited about a job opportunity by sitting up straight and facing them throughout the interview.
Checking your watch every thirty seconds is distracting and downright discouraging for any individual conducting an interview. Discussing your experience, education, and other qualifications takes a reasonably expected amount of time. If this is merely a nervous habit, it may be wise to put your watch away, either in a purse or pocket, or to just leave it at home. Nothing says “can you please just hurry up?” and “when will this be over?” more than an obsession with checking the time.
Elaborate on those yes and no answers. Choppy answers suggest a lack of eagerness to sell yourself on any great opportunity. Even if you don’t have much to say in response to a particular question, something is always better than nothing. One suggestion could be to turn the short “yes” into a “yes, I think I would be a great candidate because I am excited about the position.” Don’t make the recruiter do all the talking. Remember, you are the one being interviewed, so practice some basic conversation and be prepared.
Put a smile in your voice! You are not a robot or a broken record. You are a bright, eager, motivated job seeker trying to make a good first impression. “Yeah,” “uh-huh,” and “I guess so” are three frequent conversation errors many recruiters hear all too often. It may just sound like “I’m uninterested” on the other end. Never be overly-perky to the point where it becomes annoying, but do make it a point to put some emotion into your answers. Always keep in mind that there are probably several others interviewing for the same position. Stand out from the rest of the crowd by letting everyone know you want to be there and that you are excited about this opportunity!
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| FRC to Streamline Application Process |
No one wants to sit in an office for hours at a time, no matter what the reason is. Application for employment should not be any different. This is why Frazee Recruiting Consultants is now proud to announce that we offer an electronic option, with e-mailed application packets and online testing, to accommodate all job seekers with a convenient and low-stress alternative to the all-day interview affair! Prepare at your own pace by choosing to complete skill assessments online and fill out the basic job application at home! As an increasing number of individuals choose to remain employed while seeking different employment, this was an obvious solution! You can now cut down those exhausting hours to mere minutes and allow yourself the full interview experience in just a fraction of the in-office time! Details are available upon submitting a resume and scheduling an interview. Visit www.frazeerecruit.com for more info.
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| Recruiter Pet Peeves |
Did you unknowingly contribute to the current Top 10 Recruiter Pet Peeves list? Stay ahead of the employment game by avoiding the biggest interview mistakes:
- Smoking before your face-to-face interview – Please refrain from this habit until afterwards. A recruiter will never understand just how close 24 inches is until they are head on with the nicotine train.
- Having that garlic smothered onion special before your appointment – Gum! Breath mints! Please! Or get it “to-go” and save it for later. Again, a 24 inch space between you and the recruiter will never masque what you just had for lunch.
- Forgetting the deodorant during this morning’s interview preparation frenzy – It’s very hot outside, keep a travel pack of freshen-up cloths with you at all times!
- Not dressing professionally for the interview - If your current position requires medical scrubs or blue jeans, then bring your Sunday best with you and change prior to your professional interview…it’s that simple!
- Not bringing a copy of your resume – Providing a clean presentable resume for your file is required just about anywhere you go these days.
- Cell phone disasters – Make sure your cell phone is turned off. We cannot stress this enough. Ring tones are distracting and inappropriate during an interview, especially if you answer them! This behavior can only suggest an unfortunate lack of social skills.
- Sweet tooth theatre – We all like the occasional chocolate bar or chewy grape concoction, but we will never think it looks good on you during an interview. Leave it at home and instead sport a bright white smile for the interviewer.
- White Diamonds are not forever– Please be courteous of others and go light on the perfume or cologne. It is difficult for recruiters to focus on interview details when their eyes are watering from Old Spice overload.
- Being late – Traffic should never be a surprise. Ever. Make it a point to leave early in case there is an accident on the interstate, or in case it takes you additional time to find where you will be interviewing. Making that extra effort can make a big difference.
- M.I.A. – Not showing up for an interview is a big mistake. Not making any attempt to contact the recruiting office, either before or after, is even worse. If you cannot let us know the day before that your child is sick, or keep us in the loop when you are stuck in traffic and on your way, how can we expect you to show up for a new job and dependably stick with it?
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