Working With Recruiters: 5 Critical Words For Candidates
|
As professional recruiters working both retained and contingency search assignments, we spend a significant part of our effort preparing both the candidate and the client employer for prospective interviews. Preparing each side to meet and interact removes much of the predisposed tension that is inherent to the interview process on both sides. If each participant of the interview is prepared thoroughly with a detailed mental picture of what to expect, the normal nerves or "butterflies" are lessened and the result is a more fruitful interview from both sides of the table. After all, the purpose of the interview is to discover if a variety of factors match from both sides and to hopefully provide an introduction to what it would be like to work together as part of the same organization.
While candidates and client employers place a tremendous amount of 'weight' on the first interview, from my perspective the most critical part involves the "debrief" or follow up after the first interview. That's why I put forth that the 5 most critical words for candidates are: Call me after the interview. Most candidates and client employers generally perceive the first interview as "make it or break it". I would assert that barring a disastrous performance by either side, very few candidates are hired after one simple interview. Client employers in today's ultra competitive market place are seeking candidates who have good "depth" to them. Generally, it takes more than one interview to determine if a candidate has this "depth". Thus, the debrief after the first interview is a critical step in the process for both sides. As a recruiter, we are tasked with the process of managing the expectations of both candidates and client employers during the process. Both sides must make a concerted effort to provide meaningful and significant feedback to the recruiter so he or she may determine:
1. That there is a high level of mutual interest in moving the process forward.
2. That both sides have exchanged enough information that a framework for subsequent discussion is natural.
3. That any key decision makers are now involved or scheduled to be involved in the subsequent interviews.
Additionally, after this first interview and during this debrief period, it fundamental for the candidate to follow up with written correspondence to the key decision makers that will reinforce their qualifications, key points discussed during the initial meeting and most of all, interest/desire in moving forward. The inexact science of recruiting contains elements of emotion and momentum. Keeping both emotions positive and momentum moving in a positive and timely direction is integral to a strong recruiting effort. The ability of the recruiter to perform for both the candidate and the client employer will be significantly enhanced by following those 5 critical words: Call me after the interview.
Executive recruiter William Werksman is a frequent columnist to job boards including http://www.NevadaJobBoard.com addressing both the candidate's and employer's perspective. Werksman's expertise has been featured in business magazines, national newspapers and television news segments. His firm, Resource Partners, is recognized as the leading source of specialized and executive talent in the Casino and Gaming industry. He manages a staff of recruiters out of his firm's Las Vegas, Nevada headquarters. He may be reached at: Bill@CareerInsider.com
|
|
|
For Effective Decisions, Look Beyond Career Stereotypes
You've probably been taught not to stereotype people based on race, religion or sex. But when you make a career or business decision, do you still make decisions based on stereotypes?"Insurance sales reps must be gregarious."Hal, a successful insurance agent for many years, has developed a portfolio of loyal, happy clients. Hal can be described as an introvert. He rarely speaks unless spoken to, and then he speaks briefly and softly. His clients have learned that he's a caring, dedicated agent who never misses a detail."Accountants sit quietly and crunch numbers."These days, accountants, especially those in the large firms, have to become experts at client relations. Often they're expected to steer business towards the firm's consulting division."Wan...(related: Employment)
Turning Their Loss Into Your Job Gain
It isn't the end of the world, even if it seems like it. Losing your job can be a heart-breaking experience. After all, your security in life and your abilities is now in question. You can feel disillusioned a...(related: Employment)
How To Stay Calm In Tryng Times
That's not you? Great! Bad habits are hard to break once the addiction gets hold of us. Been there. Gave up "smokes" long years ago but it took lots of willpower to kick the habit.FIRST THING IN THE MORNINGShould the question be asked? Is this YOUR best time of day or is ''night' your choice? Everyone has a different clock. Some of us like to sleep longer. Stay up later.Does it matter? You do whatever has to be done. Adjustments have to be made according to our work schedule. Kids going to school. Some of the little on...(related: Employment)
Avoiding 10 Deadly Interview Mistakes
Too many job seekers set themselves up for failure before the interview ever takes place. They fail to target their audience, demonstrate relevant ...(related: Employment)
Job Hunting Tips: Assessing Personal Value
A week out of work is a vacation. You can sleep late in the morning, revel in your newly found free time, shop when the stores are empty, and get around to those chores you have been putting off for too long.Three weeks out of work and you are still relaxed. There is a new and better position waiting out there and you just need to get around to finding it.Six weeks out of work and you are getting anxious. Fifty resumes have vanished into a black hole and the telephone refuses to ring.Twelve weeks out of work and panic starts to set in. You review your recent efforts to find work and seem to be doing all the right things. You start to doubt yourself: Am I too o...(related: Employment)
Resurgence Of The Time Sheet: Why You Should Write Down Your Workday Activities
One day I walked into my boss's office and said, " I think all staff should do a time sheet, including you, from now on." I definitely surprised her but the results of thisrequest certainly got the attention of all of our staff.I work for an email marketing software and services firm. I am currently wearing my third hat within this firm. We have been under a 'massive spring cleaning' for about six months. We have new staff, new websites and ne...(related: Employment)
Federal Job Search Strategies: 7 Tips To Help You Succeed
Despite constant calls by politicians and policy makers to reign in government spending, the federal government remains the largest employer in the United States. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, there are currently more than 2,700,000 employees working for the federal government in civil service positions. For nearly every federal job vacancy, the number of applicants exceeds the number of available positions by at least tenfold.Why do so many Americans aspire to a federal job? The answers are diverse. Some consider it a patriotic duty, while for others it's an act of enlightened self-interest. Whatever your motivation, however, the benefits are significant. Simply put, Uncle Sam is an excellent boss.Working fo...(related: Employment)
6 Vital Tips For Creating A Superior Resume
1: Keep It ShortConsidering that initially HR personnel only spend approximately 10-20 seconds on a resume, the shorter your resume, the most desirable it is. Aim for one page.Of course, it is sometimes impossible to create such a short resume. You might have to include a second page because you have way too much information regarding your work experience, accomplishments, etc. In this case, make sure that you list the most relevant information within the upper half of the first page because that is the section that gets looked at first. This way...(related: Employment)
The Last Minute Interview
Your breath catches in your throat - at last, an interview! Elated, you write down the time and place of the interview, who to ask for, say thanks, and hang up!But, wait, it's such short notice, and you haven't been interviewed for ages. Too, you never did get around to practicing. How can you possibly prepare in time to perform well? You hesitate to call them back to reschedule-that might not look good. You feel the anxiety building, even a little panic. What should you do?Here are three easily remembered tips that will help a lot.Relax. Remind yourself that you would not be interviewing at all if they didn't like what they saw on your résumé. Review the ad and the response you sent them earlier (you did keep them, didn't you?). Be reasonably sure that you understand what it is they are looking ...(related: Employment)
site-map - Copyright © 2007 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved | Free Articles and Information | Employment