
Before job interview and meeting with any recruiter a job applicant will do all the usual things. They will update their resume, research the position and company, establish answers to lots of behavioral interview queries and double check what they plan to wear so they look professional.
But what else do they require doing make sure they are successful. We inquired recruiters from a range of several companies and industries what things they wish job seekers knew before job interview.
Top Five Key Things Recruiters Wish You Knew Before Job Interview
I Want to Love or Hate you
Recruiters are searching to match the best candidate to the role they have open. That person requires being experienced, qualified and a great cultural fit for the placement to be successful. Recruiters require finding this one person amongst the hundreds of applications they have got so they are looking to rapidly split all applicants into two distinct piles – Love you or hate you.
I love you gets closer review and possibly an interview, I hate you goes into the ‘no’ pile which is merely as satisfying because it culls the list down importantly. To make definite you stay in the positive group you need to:
Come across as confident and likable. People need to work with people they get along with and people they quite like. If the recruiter feels you’re likable and they themselves establish a rapport with you, you’ve a much better chance of being shortlisted for the role.
Showcase your soft skills and emotional intelligence. Several companies inquire recruiters to not just look at skills and experience but to assess the candidates’ soft skills such as communication, self awareness, listening skills etc…
Provide Me a Good Reason to Remember You
Recruiters see hundreds of applicants for a major number of roles every week. It is not surprising that after the interview they sometimes find it difficult to remember each person without referring back to their notes. If you can, you should offer them a positive reason to remember you either personally or even better professionally. Consider about things like:
Can you make a connection such as both attending the similar high school, university etc…
Do you both like the same sport?
Do you know people in common?
Can you share an unusual career success story?
This Job Not Any Job
Recruiters aren’t silly, they know you’re applying for several roles and that it is quite likely you would be happy with any of those positions if they were offered to you. Despite that, they are just going to put forward candidates who show they are particularly interested in the role they have. If you come across as “anything will do” trust me, you’ll get nothing. You require making sure you:
Have deeply researched the company, its competitors and the job description
Have particular queries to ask that show you have done your homework
Tell them how you particularly would contribute to the company in the first 3, 6 and 12 months
Answer every employers silent query….what is in it for me?
Non Generic Follow Up Please
Every applicant will send a follow up note after an interview with a recruiter. This is merely good job interview practice. What recruiters actually respond to though is a more personal follow up, instead of the standard thanks for meeting with me. Think about the things like:
Did you discuss any particular software or data base options in the meeting? Could you send a link to further data or an instance that touches on your discussion?
Did you connect over a love of sports? Could you send a link to an article relating to that sport that the recruiter would find interesting
Did you discuss a distinctive agency the recruiter found interesting? Could you send through the contact details or the website url?
Be Clean, Consistent and Up to Date Before Job Interview
Once a recruiter sorts the resumes into the yes and no piles they’ll mostly do a quick online check of all the potential applicants to see if there are any critical warning signs. They will look at how expert and professional your social profile is as well as the consistency of data across all your social assets. You require ensuring that you:
Clean up Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all other social media assets you’ve. Recruiters have it when they discover foul language, questionable photos, evidence of drug and alcohol use etc…It means they must eliminate you from the potential list and that reviewing you to that point was a waste of their time.
Check your data on your LinkedIn profile is consistent with the information on your resume before job interview. Inconsistency sends alarm bells that you may be lying.
If you’ve updated your resume since meeting with the recruiter send them an updated copy or advise them that your online version has been updated. They must asses you on your most current data and experience at all times.