No matter if you’re an intern or a vice president and no matter how many job interviews you’ve been through, it’s always a challenge to determine what exactly a recruiter looks for in an interviewee. What they look for can then vary across both companies and industries. To help bridge this disconnect, Caroline Ceniza-Levine, in a recent Forbes article, turned the tables and interviewed recruiters from various companies, Fortune 500 to non-profit, to determine the expectations of job recruiters across all industries. Fortunately, despite the varying industries that they recruit for, recruiters share similar words of wisdom that can be helpful for a business professional in any position or sector.
1. Pay Attention to How You Position Yourself
Make sure that when you are conveying yourself as a go-getter and someone who surpasses the competition, you are not qualifying yourself as a person who is difficult to work with. It is just as important to be a team player as it is to be a leader and while recruiters want a motivated and determined employee, they do not want someone who can’t work well with others.
2. Eliminate Roadblocks to Communication
Even if you have already had contact with the recruiter and they have access to your resume, make sure to still include your phone number at the bottom of your e-mails. You want to make it as easy as possible for the recruiter to get in touch with you.
3. Research the Company
Prior to your interview, you should have a solid understanding of the company and its goals and culture, as well as knowledge of the executive team and the person interviewing you. Take a look at the company Web site, review recent press articles, and perform a general internet search. It will not only give you a more well-rounded understanding of the position, but the recruiter will also be impressed with your overall knowledge of the company. Not to mention, it can also allow for a much more intriguing conversation during the interview.
4. Be Professional in Your Correspondences
Make sure that your e-mail address is professional and recognizable. Use a common URL such as Gmail and some form of your name. Avoid e-mail addresses that use your nickname. Also, do not text the recruiter. Texts are viewed as a less formal means of communication so avoid texting unless the recruiter initiates it.
5. Make Sure Your Social Networks are Business Ready
Social media is a huge part of everyday life and recruiters will look for you on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, to evaluate your personality and professionalism. To prepare for this evaluation, make sure all of your pictures, phrases, and links are work appropriate.
Although job interviews are rarely labeled as easy, using this advice from recruiters will allow you to be one step ahead in the job seeking process. Best of luck!
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