Want to know the secret to being loved by recruiters?
Preparation.
Yes, there’s no simpler way for recruiters to love you. Recruiters love candidates who are well-prepared. In fact, 20% of recruiters who took part in Bayt.com’s ‘Hiring Practices in the MENA region’ poll (February 2012) said that poor preparation was the most common mistake that jobseekers do during an interview.
So, before you meet with a recruiter make a checklist of these 5 methods of being prepared to win the hearts and minds of recruiters:
The first question asked in most interviews is “So, what do you know about our company?” This is the first real test when discussing a potential position. Employers want to hire professionals who have taken the time to research the company’s products, mission and business model. Doing your research about the company, the role for which you’re applying and your interviewer as well shows the employer that you are interested and excited about the opportunity and would be ready to hit the ground running on your first day. Doing your research also helps you better formulate your answers to interview questions that directly relate to the job requirements.
One of the biggest complaints by recruiters is that many candidates do not have the ability to write a professional CV. Too often, the writing skills of today’s jobseekers are lacking and may stand in the way of landing their dream job. In fact, according to Bayt.com’s ‘Hiring Practices in the MENA region’ poll (February 2012), 21.3% of recruiters in the MENA region said sloppy grammar and spelling was the most common mistake they encountered on jobseekers’ CVs, while 19.7% of them said that candidates’ CVs were not customized for the role.
Your CV is often the first impression a recruiter has of you and more often than not you will only have a few seconds to grab their attention and leave them wanting to read more and invite you in for an interview. It is essential that you get this vital piece of communication right and use it as a springboard to the next stage of the job search (some top CV mistakes to avoid).
Nothing makes a recruiter groan more than meeting with a candidate wearing sloppy cargo pants and a t-shirt where the role requires formal business attire. If you dress contrary to company and industry norms from the outset, don’t expect to go far in the hiring process.
Your outward appearance is part of the impression you make on people and is a reflection of your inner qualities. 7.5% of recruiters who took part in Bayt.com’s ‘Hiring Practices in the MENA region’ poll (February 2012) said that an “inappropriate attire” was the most common mistake that jobseekers make in an interview.
Remember: You don’t need to go crazy and buy an ostentatiously expensive designer suit; you can look sharp, smart and appropriate in a cost-effective manner. All you have to do is to avoid jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, miniskirts, or any other outfit that may not project a professional image in the industry you are targeting (after all, it’s a professional role you’re seeking, right?)
When interacting with a potential employer, whether by phone, e-mail or in person, it’s important to emanate confidence about your experience and ability to succeed in a new position. It’s natural to be nervous when being grilled by a recruiter but you must be able to put a cohesive thought together. Rather than blurt out the first thing that comes to your mind, pause for a while and gather your thoughts before you speak. The position you are interviewing for may include public speaking or even conducting staff meetings and the recruiter needs to know that you can speak proficiently.
No matter how tired you are or how tough the interview questions are always show enthusiasm and drive. In fact, according to Bayt.com’s ‘Hiring Practices in the MENA region’ poll (February 2012), 28.8% of recruiters in the MENA region chose hunger, drive and ambition as the most important thing to them when making a hiring decision.
You need to demonstrate to the employer that you are extremely interested in the position and have the drive and ambition and keenness it takes to succeed. Your positive attitude will impress your interviewer as long as it is genuine and not overplayed and they will leave the interview with a favorable ‘feel’ about you.
You might also want to have a look at the other side of the coin by reading the five reasons why candidates fail to impress in interviews.
These are all ways to ensure that you stand out from the crowd and stick in the recruiter’s mind. If you walk into the room with the right attitude, image and skillset then you may not be too far from the finish line!
