Direct Hire Secrets

We are looking, can you be found?

Talking Frankly by Cathy Townley-McGaughey

Recruiter and Managing Partner, A1 Best Staffing

I get a good solid direct-hire job order from a client and it’s in your area of expertise. I need to find the best person for the job, but you aren't on my radar. Why? 

The hiring client is paying for my skills and I get right to work on the new job order. But why aren't YOU at the top of my list for this job?

You need to know how our selection process works:

1. Submit a really good resume and a keyword rich cover letter as your first step. Do this electronically, as my very expensive and specialized staffing software will then quickly feed it directly into my recruiting database. No waiting on manual input, you are IN the database immediately. Note: I don't usually pass on your cover letter to the client, only your resume. I might use paragraph quotes from your cover letter to summarize you, or as a lead in to whet the client’s appetite, but only if you are a good fit for the job. So your resume and my presentation are what places you in the best position. 

2. When you apply for a specific direct hire job, if you are being considered I will contact you and call you in for an informational interview. I usually get between two and three hundred responses to each publicized position. I am looking at a LOT of resumes. If you are just submitting your resume into our database and not applying for an open job, I will not call you in for an interview until I actually have a job opening to discuss with you. Contact information is kept for six months, reapply if more time has passed and you have not been contacted. Call me to find out why we haven’t contacted you, I will be happy to talk. 

3. Please don't play coy. When I call or email signifying interest in you I expect you to respond fast. If you don't, I may think you are not interested and move on to the next applicant. My typical client will want a short list of 5-10 candidates. Those will be the best qualified and most employable applicants, and the list fills up quickly.

4. In our interview, respond honestly to my questions. Remember, the client will want to interview you also, and those responses should match what you told me. In our interview, I will be zeroed in and focused on my client’s needs and preferences. Yes, I will be judging you based on what you say, your body language and how well your responses match up with the info on your resume. You may be asked to revise your resume to better reflect what you can offer my client. I am also letting you talk to get a better idea of who you are and what you can offer my client.

5. Yes, I am going to check your references, both job history and personal. Be prepared to hand me a list including previous job addresses, supervisor names and phone numbers. 

6. Money? The client has given me a low and high wage range during our contract negotiations. Part of my job is to wrangle a fair salary for you. I will tell you the wage range and we will discuss your salary and benefit needs.   

7. I will let you in on the progress of the process as my clients conducts the final interviews and narrows down the field further. I may call you with additional questions and even bring you back into the office to talk with me or have a second interview with my client. Usually it takes less than a day after the final interviews to make a decision to hire. BUT, I have had a client that took two months to make that decision! Know that I am going to do all in my power to hurry them along. 

8. I will give you some background on my client and some hints as to what they are looking for in an employee. Be true to yourself. If you know in your heart that you are not a good fit for the job we are discussing, say something. Life is too short to be working miserably in a job you hate. Your perfect fit job will be available soon, it might just not be this one. 

9. I will want to talk to you after the client interview. Not right then while the client is still in my office, but I will call you very soon. I want feedback about the interview from both you and my client. I will want your impressions and I will want to know what questions you were asked. I will tell you the client’s impression of you and your abilities to do the job, and have some hints about how you handled the interview process. 

When I present you to my client as a good candidate, to be a part of their company family and a good value employee, I want to sincerely believe that you will be. I want you to be honest with me so that I can be honest with my client. We all win.

About this author

Cathy Townley-McGaughey is the managing partner and chief recruiter for A1 Best Staffing in Galveston, Texas. Cathy has been in the HR business for over 30 years, with experience in finance, utilities and manufacturing. She has extensive, personal experience as a hiring manager and is a seasoned, professional recruiter helping companies and candidates form new, productive employment relationships.

Mrs. Townley-McGaughey views her primary role as placing the best fit candidates and driving her client company’s growth by:

§   Recruiting and identifying the best talent available for the targeted position

§   Appraising and verifying the candidate's credentials

§   Connecting the candidate and company

§   Leading the placement process to a successful close.

Cathy can be contacted via email at: ctm@a1beststaffing.com

Interview hints from a recruiter

Each interview is special and you don't get a second chance at their first impression. Doing it right the first time is spot on essential. Whether it’s your first-ever job interview or your millionth (seems like), here are some suggestions to set up that positive vibe and maybe land your dream job.

Before the Interview

Prepare and research. Understand the company's needs and expectations by researching their history, administrator’s names and titles (especially of whom you are interviewing with), main products and even their competitors. You will be able to hold your own in an interview conversation with this information. You don’t want your interview to be a one way street, you can ask questions if the timing seems right.

Prepare a résumé that sells you and actually says what you think it does. Your interviewer is asking herself these basic things: Can this person do the job, will they understand the company atmosphere and will they stay?

Practice answering interview questions with a friend (or in front of a mirror). Anticipate and practice answering questions until you comfortable talking about your skills and expectations and past employment. Never be shy about this in an interview. Memorize some tidbits to add to each job description you list on your resume. The interviewer will be listening avidly. They want to know how you added value for each past employer. Never, ever bad talk a past employer or colleague at an interview. If you really don’t know why, then call me.

The interview

Because ‘Successful and Positive’ is your name...

You plan right and arrive early. Phone if you might be late (don't be).

You arrive at the interview office alone. If you get a ride, have them leave you at the entrance and wait somewhere else.

You introduce yourself, state who you are interviewing with, the open job title and your appointment time.

You are friendly and patient while you wait. Read a magazine or go over your resume again. (please no cell phone conversations, music or games – put cell on silent before you enter the office)

You know that the interviewer may come out personally to greet you. They will form a first impression. Shake hands firmly, greet him/her by name and introduce yourself. Remain standing until you're invited to sit.

You are positive and enthusiastic. Remember, send out good vibes. Maintain confident eye contact without staring.

You have prepared and have brought extra copies of your resume, personal work samples or portfolio if appropriate, an extra pen and your personal and professional reference list.

Good to know, but I hate the negativity of every 'DON’T do this' list made. You already knew all this, right?

Don't fidget with your clothes, hair or jewelry. Confidence matters.
Don't smoke or chew gum even if invited to do so. You don’t yet know the work atmosphere.
Don't argue or tell the employer your troubles. TMI.
Don't stress your need for the job repeatedly. Desperate never sells at an interview.
Don't use slang or profanity. Really, no one ever told you this?
Don't place your handbag or briefcase on the employer's desk. Respect the space.
Don't gossip or tell jokes. They are looking for a good fit employee not a new friend.
Don't sell yourself out of a job by saying negative things about yourself, peers or past employers. Do unto others, etc.
Don't focus on wages, benefits or vacation. We all have the need to know but it will work into the conversation later in the interview or in subsequent interviews.
Don't mention personal or financial problems (health, family, etc.). Unless you need an EEOC accommodation and you think the employers needs to know that immediately. BTW, an employer cannot legally ask you many personal questions but it is fair game if you volunteer the info.
Don't be afraid to smile! Less stress and more confidence!
Avoid refreshments during the interview. Nervousness and shakily clammy hands are the norm, do you really want to remember your table manners right now too?

And, now you are ready for the actual interview. This is one sample of The Grilling to expect:

So, why don't you tell me about yourself?
Remember that volunteered too personal information can be used against you in the interview stage. Stick to professional alignments.

Tell me about an objective in your last job that you failed to meet and why.
Tricky and nicely done. Instead tell about how you met deadlines, overcame odds etc.

What has been your most significant accomplishment in your career? Talk about the career high point you are most proud of.

Think back to your last review. What did your supervisor say needed improvement? Wow, hate this question. To be candid or not? Not, I think. They are going to run a background check anyway and get all the dirt from your past employers, let them do the work don’t volunteer anything detrimental.

Why are you seeking a position with our company? Resist the urge to say “because I need to work?” Remember your research about the company and state a logical reason you want to work for this particular company.

Why do you want to leave your current job? (Why did you leave your last job?) Honesty is best, remember they are going to do an employment history check if they haven’t already done so. Just don’t elaborate, save time for answering better questions.

Where do you see yourself five (ten or fifteen) years from now? S
uch a popular question at interviews. Be honest, unless you see yourself retired and then sort of don’t mention that.

What do you like the most/least about your current (previous) job? Focus on the positive whenever you can.

How do you define success? They are not asking for the Merriam-Webster definition. They want to know what your goals are and if you think the job is a priority and if you are well balanced in your personal and business life.

Now it’s your turn to ask questions, but only if you feel the timing and the interviewer’s attitude toward you is right.

·        Why did the person in this position leave?
·        What would you like done differently by me if I get the job?
·        How would you describe the work atmosphere here?
·        What is the most important things you would want me to accomplish?
·        How many candidates are being interviewed for this job?
·        What are the company’s goals for the next few years?
·        When are you looking to hire?
·        I've really enjoyed our meeting. I am very interested in this position. What is the next step for me?

Afterwards, analyze the whole interview for yourself, do a self-evaluation.

How was your interview performance? Note what went right and think about the areas that need improvement.

Send a thank you card, letter or email. This is an expected vehicle to express your appreciation for the interview and to re-emphasize your qualifications and interest for the position. Remember, top of mind.

Follow up with the employer in a few days to see if the job is still open. They will probably not communicate with everyone who interviewed that the position has been filled.

Continue your job search until you get a firm job offer.

You might not ace the job interview because of your red hair?!

Job hunting tips.

Are redheads less desirable as job candidates than dark or fair hair applicants? We all know that first impressions are important in every job interview. That's why we polish our resume until it shines like the beckoning bright star we are, and put on our best bib and tucker to impress HR.
I am a carrot top myself and subconsciously always credited my "room presence" to stature, red hair and confidence. There is absolutely no way I go unnoticed anywhere, ever. That's a good thing, right?
It has always worked for me, but here are a few quoted sources that seem to say differently:

• "Its latest report shows that, per head of population, redheads suffer more discrimination than ethnic minorities. Only disabled people suffer more." http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/newsreview/features/article1006495.ece
• "...Sadly redheads also receive a great deal of abuse. The Centre for Equality Policy Research think tank recently claimed that redheads suffer more discrimination per head of population than ethnic minorities. Having carried out an experiment they said, “A job applicant with ginger hair is seven times more likely to be rejected than a dark-haired applicant, and eight times more likely than a fair-haired applicant.”
  http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Could-Irelands-cloudy-weather-be-the-reason-for-the-stereotypical-red-hair-178077221.html#axzz2BkJgG0pd#3

Let's step back and look at this. The first quote is from a British source and the second from an Irish website, last year, where it appears to describe an ongoing form of discrimination. Is the situation different here in the USA? In fact 2-6% of our population has red hair, which gives the US the largest population of redheads in the world!
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair)

An interviewer at a traditional type business in the US is more likely to reject an applicant because of  dramatic false hair color more than any color of a natural appearing shade. So, is your hair color holding you back if you are a redhead? Probably not.

If you can't honestly blame the failed job interviews on your red hair, or black/brown/blonde hair then take another look at your resume, or have a friend look over it for you. Pick your interview clothes carefully, be sure they are business-like and make the desired impression. Know more about the company you are interviewing with so you can visualize yourself fitting into its corporate culture.

We seldom get the first job we interview for, or sometimes not even the 12th. Consider having a quiet time of introspection after each interview to critique what you might do better, or differently , in the next interview. And don't be too hard on yourself. A job interview is always a mix of both interviewee and interviewer. 

More tips, inspirations and webinars at our career portal. Registration is free. www.myA1BestStaffing.com 

Still Good Advice

Interviews. You gotta love 'em, no matter which side of the desk you find yourself sitting at.

I ask every new employee at A1 Best Staffing: "Be candid with me. I want to place you in a job that is a good fit for both of us. I won't judge you and I won't put you in a job that you aren't qualified for. Will you really talk to me? What you tell me today, right here, will help us both in the long run."

And they do, tell me. Followed by the plaintive cry temp recruiters hear so often - "I'm here because I can't find a job. Why don't I ever get called back after the first interview? But they seemed so interested, what did I do wrong?" My standard answer -  "Maybe you didn't do ANYTHING wrong. Maybe it's more what you  didn't do."

I place temp, temp to perm, and direct hires through A1 Best Staffing. Most of our temps don't interview with the client, we are trusted to provide the best candidates and we do. However, our direct hires, unlike temps, always interview first. We are sometimes asked to be a client's HR Agency - to screen and skill test, then send a few hand picked candidates for interviews.

So, of course I want to make sure our candidates ace the interview. To be chosen for the job, they have to stand out and step forward. My advice to them for that important interview? This article continues to sum up what our clients expect from top candidates, even now in 2013.  

4 Essential Questions To Ask At The End Of A Job Interview
By Amy Fontinelle | Investopedia – Tue, Sep 25, 2012 11:14 AM EDT

"I am always surprised how some interviewees tend to trail off towards the end of an interview instead of finishing strong and leaving a lasting impression," says Zachary Rose, CEO and founder of Green Education Services, a green jobs training firm in New York City. Whether you're a senior preparing for campus recruiting or a recent graduate still hunting for a job, here are the top questions experts recommend asking at the end of a job interview to leave a great final impression on hiring managers and establish yourself as a top candidate.

"Is There Any Reason Why You Wouldn't Hire Me?" 
Kelsey Meyer, senior vice president of Digital Talent Agents in Columbia, Mo., says, "A recent candidate asked, 'If you were to not offer the job to me, what would be the reason?' This was extremely straightforward and a little blunt, but it allowed me to communicate any hesitations I had about the candidate before he left the interview, and he could address them right there."
"This one question is something I would suggest every single candidate ask," adds Meyer. It lets you know where you stand and if you need to clarify anything for the interviewer. "If you have the guts to ask it, I don't think you'll regret it," she says.
Rachel Dotson, content manager for ZipRecruiter.com, says, "All too often you hear about candidates leaving an interview and thinking they aced it, only to get a swift rejection email soon after. Take the time while you're face-to-face to ask about and dispel any doubts that the hiring manager has." Make sure a key asset of yours hasn't been overlooked.

"As an Employee, How Could I Exceed Your Expectations?" 
Michael B. Junge, a staffing and recruiting industry leader with Irvine Technology Corp. in Santa Ana, Calif., and author of "Purple Squirrel: Stand Out, Land Interviews, and Master the Modern Job Market," says that one of his favorite interview questions is when a candidate takes the lead and asks, "If I were offered this position and joined your company, how would you measure my success and what could I do to exceed your expectations?"
"The question shows confidence without being overly brash, while also demonstrating that you have an interest in delivering positive results," Junge adds. What's more, the answer you receive can reveal what the interviewer hopes to accomplish by making a new hire, and this information can help you determine whether to accept the position if you get an offer.
"How Could I Help Your Company Meet Its Goals?"
Dotson also suggests job candidates ask the interviewer, "How does this position fit in with the short- and long-term goals of the company?" The response to the short-term side of the question gives you further insight into your potential role and helps you tailor the remainder of the discussion and your interview follow-up, she says. "Second, by bringing up long-term goals, you are telling the hiring manager that you're there for the long-run, not just another new grad that is going to follow suit with her peers and job-hop every six months," Dotson says.
Junge also recommends that interviewees ask, "What challenges have other new hires faced when starting in similar roles, and what could I do to put myself in a better position to succeed?" He says few students or new grads will ask this question because most haven't witnessed failure. To a hiring manager, this question demonstrates maturity and awareness, and if you're hired, the answers can help you avoid the pitfalls of being new.

"What Excites You About Coming into Work?" 
Murshed Chowdhury, CEO of Infusive Solutions, a specialized staffing firm in New York City, suggests that candidates ask the interviewer, "What excites you about coming into work every day?"
"This is a role reversal question that we often suggest candidates ask," he says. People love the opportunity to talk about themselves, so this question provides an excellent chance to learn about the hiring manager and find ways to establish common ground. "This is also a great opportunity for the candidate to determine whether he/she is excited by the same things that excite the hiring manager to see if the culture is a good fit," Chowdhury adds.

The Bottom Line 

Although it is important to provide a great first impression to a potential employer, as well as acing the basics of a job interview, closing the interview strongly is just as important.
"Prove to your interviewer that you want this position and you are in this for the right reasons, not simply to fill your day with something to do," Rose says. Ask these questions before you leave, and leave your potential new employer with a great impression.