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.

Job Search Cover Letters

Cover letters rock!  A good cover letter can set your resume apart fromt the crowd and actually get you an interview with our client.

I receive hundreds of resumes each month, but I only have a select few jobs to fill. I don't have time to interview every applicant although I do look at every resume. And those resumes with cover letters (and selected reference letters) usually go to the top of the stack for consideration.

You will want to personalize your cover letter with the name of the position you are applying for, as well as the company you are applying at.  You can create a template for yourself, but make sure each and every one of your cover letters, or email text, is personalized in one way or another. Humorously, I usually receive several resumes each week with cover letters addressing other companies or job posts.

 If you are authoring your cover letter as an email,  I recommend that you never send an obviously boilerplate “Attached please find résumé”. Do tell a bit about yourself, your interests and skills and a short summary (no bullets) of your career. There are many personal questions an interviewer is not allowed to ask by law, but if voluntarily supplied by you could show that you would be a good fit for a client's work culture and that could get you a first interview. But it works both ways; never list anything in a cover letter that could eliminate you from being considered for the job you want.

Remember that a staffing agency works for a client, and the client is our customer. Our clients go through an extensive interview process which tells us what they are looking for in their next employee. Let your cover letter paint a true picture about yourself. It will help us present you as the best fit candidate.

Always mention mutual contacts, and proofread carefully.

Hire the Right Person

Recruiter Short Listing Process

An applicant ‘short list’ is culled and sifted from the response generated by a posted job opening. The recruiter takes the original applicant list, narrowing it to their own short list and then to the final client’s short list; those chosen few who meet 100% of the hiring criteria.

Here is how I create my shortlists from the storm of applications we receive. I identify essential and desirable professional job related qualities that matter most to my client, then sift through the applications to select the best candidate as quickly as possible.

I love to do the ‘placement dance’, but before I can get there some pretty hard work has to be done.

When I begin trimming out the applications I have two points to look at: POINT A. the absolutely important criteria and POINT B. the desirable criteria. A candidate can have A and not B but still be on my list at this stage. 

My goal is to exclude as many unsuitable candidates early and as quickly as possible but I may have to come back to my POINT A candidate list later. Use these steps:

Decide on a rough number of candidates to interview for this posting – Remember the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent of the best overall candidates for any job will be found in twenty percent of your professional applications. That twenty percent you are looking for now will most likely be in the applicants for this posted job. So, don’t reach very far back into the files unless you really didn’t get enough response to your initial job posting. The "Pareto principle” is very much alive and at work. Re-tap your recruitment network if you need to. Referrals are golden.

 

Do preliminary eliminations - Once the first shortlist is complete carry out additional stages that refine the list further based on client criteria. Only eliminate for not meeting minimum qualifications at this stage. Keep a list of applicants that meet the minimum, those left meet POINT A.

• How to set minimum qualifications –Refer to the educational, professional and experience required in the job description furnished by your client.

Further eliminate – Look at factors important to the client. If length of previous employments, sector exposure (previously worked in their same job environment), specialized training, professional affiliations and other job related desirables are present then impose additional filters. The candidates remaining now meet POINT B

• Conduct applicant interviews – Schedule interviews that are competency based for this specific job. Now you are looking for a good personality and expectations fit for both parties and other checks to evaluate the applicant's compatibility. Use common sense and detach your own personal preferences and personality from the equation.
• Eliminate personal bias - Every recruiter listens to their client carefully and encourages frank discussions about work place environment, job performance expectations and current labor laws for interviewing and hiring. Keep the entire selection process fair and adhere to the letter of the law.
• Facilitate client/candidate interviews – The client’s short list should be 2-3 candidates, ideally. You have screened, checked, verified, interviewed and feel confident these candidates are fully qualified for the position offered.

Final client selection – Joy and another success story. You placed a good fit candidate.

Now it’s time for the placement dance. Close the office door first.