Interview Preparation: A Corporate Recruiter’s View
By Cynthia Wilson James
I've looked at your resume and hundreds of others for this position.
Most of the candidates who submitted their resumes weren't qualified or as we say in the world of recruiting "not a good fit."
I like the way your resume and cover letter are written. Your years of experience and education are well presented. Either you are a good resume writer or you chose a good writer. I am selecting you and a few others to screen for a telephone interview.
The hiring manager is calling or coming down to my office on a daily basis to see if I have found any candidates that meet the vacant job criteria. The hiring manager seems to think that this job is the only one I have to fill in the whole company!
I call you to conduct a brief pre-screening interview. You did okay. I didn't expect you to do well. After all, you weren't prepared for my call.
You come in for the scheduled interview with me. You're a little nervous.
You see me and wonder why you were nervous. I have one of the nicest smiles you've seen on a recruiter in a long time and my professional demeanor is non-threatening and even friendly.
I begin the interview. You answer the questions. I make you feel so relaxed that you almost feel like you're talking to someone you've known a long time.
After a few more questions, I end the interview.
I shake your hand while saying, "I have a few more candidates to interview before deciding who comes back for the second interviews with the hiring manager. I've enjoyed meeting you. Thanks for coming in. You will be hearing from us."
You tell those close to you how feel good about this interview. One week later, you get a rejection letter from me on behalf of the company.
You feel awful. You thought you aced the interview. What happened?
The possibilities are endless on what could have happened in this scenario to prevent you from getting the job. However, as a former Corporate Recruiter who gets frequent calls to perform contract recruiting for major companies and owner of an interview preparation service, I can share with you two of the most common mistakes experienced and new job seekers make.
The first is they let their guard down by talking to the interviewer like a friend or buddy. While most recruiters are friendly and personable and really want for you to be a fit for the job because they have several others to fill, they are not your friend.
Your friend may find it humorous that you cite examples why you considered your boss a pain in the rear end. Even if your recruiter laughs at your comments about your boss during the interview, such open display of negativism may rule you out as a contender for a prospective job.
The second common mistake is lack of real interview preparation. You may have prepared yourself by knowing about the job description or the products and services of a company but how do you come across when you state these facts. Do you sound as if you are reciting memorized facts?
Good interviewing skills can be achieved with practice and patience. Consider not only investing in a good resume writer but investing in the services of a good interview preparation coach or specialist as well. It’s worth the time and can mean the difference between whether a recruiter grants you a second interview or a polite rejection. And above all else, stay positive in the job hunt!
Job Seeker: Remember What Your Mama Taught You
By Cynthia Wilson James
This job tip is one that your mama, grandparent or teacher taught you when you were “knee-high to a grasshopper.”
This job tip is as relevant and as overlooked today as it was nearly ten years ago when I presented it to my readers and on-site participants.
What is the tip? The tip is to say “thank you” when someone gives you something you want or does something for you. This job tip sets you apart from the other competitors.
As a corporate recruiter, there were countless applicants who called me almost daily to express their interest in a specific job. Others sent letters outlining their qualifications and requesting interviews.
Once the qualified applicants received an interview, I did not hear from many of the enthusiastic applicants again. The ones who followed up their interview with thank-you calls, cards, or letters stood out from crowd.
Unfortunately, this is still the case on today. Employers receive triple as many letters requesting interviews as they receive thank-you letters, cards or calls. They take notice of applicants who sent them.
Your card, call or letter will be especially helpful to you if the employer is trying to decide between you and another candidate. Your card shows that you appreciated the interviewer’s time. And who doesn’t like to hear the words “thank you”?
Before you write a thank you letter, card or email, obtain the correct spelling of the interviewer’s name, regardless of how the simple the name may seem. There are names that may be spelled differently. For example, John Smith could also be spelled John Smyth.
If you are interviewed by more than one person, send a separate correspondence to each person. You may want to include a sentence or two about what each person told you about the job that you found appealing.
If you are interviewed by a panel or group, address the letter of thanks to the person responsible for setting up the committee interview.
If you desire a professional thank-you letter, please contact me. And remember even before you leave the interview, say the words mama taught you, “thank you.”
Over 40 Job Seeker: 4 Tips for a New Job or a Promotion by Cynthia Wilson James
“In about an hour, I’m interviewing my grandfather,” joked the recruiter to me. He was a top recruiter who wouldn’t have granted an interview if the applicant wasn’t qualified.
After the interview, I asked how the interview went. “Grandpa did good,” he said. “I’m scheduling him to meet with the hiring manager.” I smiled with relief. Within a few years, I was turning forty and would qualify to be called a grandma by a younger recruiter.
As a former corporate recruiter who runs a resume and interview preparation service (www.cjuliet.homestead.com), I know that even the most qualified applicant can encounter age, race and gender prejudices within the workplace. While I believe that only God can change the hearts of man, I can certainly offer 4 tips based upon my expertise to assist the over- 40 job seeker with landing a new job or promotion.
1. Flaunt your accomplishments not your job longevity.
“I’ve been doing this for (enter the number) years. I know what I’m doing.” While these comments may impress your mother and a few of your friends, no discerning manager or recruiter will promote or hire you based on the length you’ve been doing a job.
A discerning manager or a sharp recruiter will look at your current skills and past accomplishments during your number of years on the job. In fact, while longevity on the job was viewed as loyalty in the past, today working in one position for too long is viewed as stagnation. Recruiters or hiring managers may wonder the reason you haven’t progressed to another level.
On your resume or during the interview, when boasting about the number of years on your job, don’t forget to incorporate your accomplishments.
2. Improve your skills relating to your profession, especially your technical skills.
Stay updated with the latest certifications or what is hot in your industry. Even if you have not obtained the certification, let the hiring manager or recruiter know that you are working toward this goal.
Regardless of your industry, technology plays a vital role. Too many over-40 job seekers try to advance in their careers without the basic computer and software skills. If you are not computer literate and are unfamiliar with the basic software programs, contact a local technical school in your area. Most offer short-term classes for beginners.
3. Sharpen your interviewing skills through preparation.
The old adage practice makes perfect holds true only for training in sports and rehearsing music but also for sharpening your interviewing skills.
You may have prepared yourself by knowing about the job description or the products and services of a company but how do you come across when stating these facts. Do you sound as if you are reciting memorized facts? Practice giving clear and concise answers to frequently asked interview questions.
Good interviewing skills can be achieved with practice and patience. Consider not only investing in a good resume writer but investing in the services of a good interview preparation coach or specialist as well. It’s worth the time and can mean the difference between whether a recruiter grants you a second interview or a polite rejection.
4.Update your hair and wardrobe to conform to this decade.
Okay, I’ll admit that I am a former blast from the past hair and wardrobe offender. I only applied this important tip within the last few years since getting married at age 40 and giving birth to two wonderful daughters. I won’t side-track you with this story but if you want to learn more, visit www.inseasonmom.org
While you may be comfortable with your 1970s or 1980s hair and wardrobe, the rest of the world does not think you look chic. You look older and dated. Don’t allow your appearance to distract the recruiter or hiring manager from your accomplishments or from getting your new job or promotion!
"Resume Writing & Interview Coaching" by former Corporate Recruiter
