By Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
The feedback we receive after interviews from our clients and candidates provides us with inside information that can help us excel at our profession. It’s important to say both to the client and candidate that you “take your direction” from them. This empowers them and will result in you receiving accurate information.
If you are experiencing a job transition caused by a new position at a new company, promotion, leave at will, dismissal, or layoff in today’s economy, you may just be spinning your wheels. This article provides insight to any job related transition and keeps you moving forward.
New position at a new company: A new job is as exciting as it can be challenging. Learning as much as possible about your new position, the company’s products and services, and how things get done, can be overwhelming at first. Allow yourself time to adjust in a new culture. Remind yourself daily of the values, skills, and strengths you bring to the organization. Invite colleagues to lunch and learn how you can best contribute to the team. Prepare a 3-year career plan and follow through regularly with the management team to ensure you meet your goals.
How many times did you have a job interview with a great first impression and instant rapport with the interviewer? You greeted the interviewer with a firm handshake, smiled, and spoke in a confident voice. In the first ten minutes of the interview, you successfully identified common points of interest with the interviewer, such as speaking the same second language, living in the same town, working previously at the same company, or sharing the same travel interests. You and your interviewer friend talked incessantly for the entire hour. What a great interview. An offer is definitely on the way. WRONG.
How recruiters’ work has puzzled job seekers for some time. Executives and professionals in transition who are managing a new job search can look to recruiters for career advice and job opportunities. Here are some helpful tips about how to work with recruiting firms, what recruiters look for in job seekers, and how you can get them on your side.
About Recruiters
Recruiters have many responsibilities: Researching job markets; marketing to employers; helping employers budget salaries; interviewing qualified candidates; presenting candidates to their clients; preparing candidates for the interview process; negotiating candidate’s employment package; and preparing candidates for a smooth job transition.
Once a company has engaged a recruiting firm to work on a job opening, it is the recruiter’s responsibility to present three to five qualified candidates to the employer. Many recruiting firms have national reach and can place candidates throughout the country
When a job seeker’s experience meets the search criteria, a recruiter will conduct an extensive phone screen to pre-qualify the candidate for the open position, in addition to ensuring that the candidate has a strong interest in the opportunity. When a job seeker is working with a local recruiting firm, a face to face interview may take place. Should the candidate meet the qualifications a phone screen or face-to-face interview would be scheduled with the employer. Recruiters work closely with candidates and provide coaching on how to make a good impression with the employer and answer tough interview questions.
Let Recruiters Take the Lead
To effectively work with recruiters once they have contacted you, let them take the lead. Never embellish facts or stretch the truth about your experiences, education, income or other key issues. Provide references and be on time for appointments, phone calls, and engage yourself in the process. Be open and prove you have nothing to hide. If you are really not interested in the position, say so, and recruiters will appreciate you being up front early. Offer referrals and be a valued resource and you will be remembered over other candidates when new jobs open up.
Tips for Job Seekers
1. Decide to pursue a new job for the right reasons. Being unhappy with your current salary should not be one of them.
2. Learn from your recruiter. Often, they are just as valuable as hiring a job coach.
3. Let the recruiter be the mediator for you during compensation discussions unless told otherwise.
4. Recruiters will contact you throughout the process when necessary.
5. To get the best results when working with a recruiter, only identify recruiters within your industry of expertise.
6. Advise your recruiter on other job opportunities that you are currently working on to reduce duplicating efforts.
7. If you have submitted your resume directly to a company, understand that a recruiter will not be able to represent you at that company.
Advantages
A recruiter will introduce you to an organization and make you stand out from the crowd. You are being recommended from a trusted source that has a relationship with the client, so always make a good impression through each step of the process.
Most searches are confidential and working with recruiters can help you tap into hidden job leads. A company paying for a search is typically financially strong and is more likely to be committed to your success.
A recruiter is an experienced professional that will work with you throughout the entire process that involves interview preparation, salary negotiation, how to read through an offer, resignation, and getting you through your first 90 days on the job.
How to Plan for an Interview
Every professional should have a strategic interview plan and be willing to share their plan with a recruiter. Your plan should include:
1. Long and short term goals.
2. Timeline of achievements and conversation that flows as you explain your experience.
3. Things you did above and beyond your position(s).
4. Knowing your skill set, strengths, and attributes that will set you apart from other candidates.
5. Knowing your values as well as your areas of improvement.
6. Available start date.
The process of finding your next position depends on how prepared you are. With an interview plan you will most likely feel more comfortable and knowledgeable which gives you an edge over your competition. In addition to working your inner circle of friends, family, past colleagues, and business acquaintances, networking with the right recruiters is highly recommended.