With the economy today there are an increasing amount of individuals looking for employment. I wanted to provide some straight forward tips for candidates that, hopefully, will help them be successful in that search. There are many things that Recruiters come across that may be interesting to the Job Seeker…
1. Resumes/Applications
a. Resumes should include ALL of your related experience for the position you are applying for. Many companies base their offers for employment on the candidates previous applicable work experience. Also, you should customize your resume for the position you are applying for. Now I am not saying to fib on the resume, only structure it so that the recruiter can easily see your applicable experience and/or education.
b. When filling out an application, YES YOU SHOULD FILL OUT YOUR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY, don’t just write “Refer to Resume”, as many employers use this section during the background screening process.
c. When beginning your job search, you should make sure that you have a professional looking email address. J There are several sites where these can be obtained for free. I have received 100’s of resumes for candidates with just completely ridiculous email addresses, and it does affect hiring manager’s opinion of the person they are interviewing… especially when it is for a professional level role!
2. Phone Interview
a. When applying for several jobs, make sure to keep a list of what positions you applied for… this should include the Name of the Company, Job Title, specific details of the position from the job posting. It comes off very unprofessional when a candidate doesn’t remember applying for a position. It also means the person hasn’t really researched the company and isn’t committed and/or interested in the position.
b. If a recruiter calls you and asks if you have a few minutes, don’t say yes if you don’t. Ask the recruiter if there is a good time to return their call. It’s extremely distracting when there are dogs barking in the background, overhead announcements when at a store, or if the candidate is whispering because they are at their current job. J
3. In-Person Interview
a. No matter what the position is that you are interviewing for, whether a painter position or a vice president position it is extremely important to come to the interview professionally dressed. This doesn’t mean that you have to wear a suit if it is not a higher level position, but wear pressed pants and shirt, a tie, and shoes that don’t look like you just walked through a mud puddle. Yes, please do tuck in the shirt, comb your hair and come with copies of your resume. J
b. If you haven’t been through a Behavioral Based Interview before, it would be a good idea to research what this is online. You can also find sample questions online to give you an idea of what to expect with many companies.
4. Post Interview
a. It is always a good idea to follow up with the person you interviewed with via email or maybe a handwritten note. A few days later, a follow up phone call is always a good idea as well. One important thing to remember is not to stalk the person. Calling them 10 times in a week isn't likely to make them more likely to choose you as the best candidate.
I hope some of these tips will help you in your job search!!! It’s a tough market out there, but there are jobs available. It just takes a little bit of work, good follow up and dedication. J Please feel free to leave a comment if you have questions or would like suggestions on your employment search.
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