How to Think Like a Headhunter or Recruiter

Want to get an interview? Then begin to think like a Headhunter or Recruiter! Ask yourself specifically what is the position and exactly who are they looking for to fill it? What qualities do they appreciate in a candidate? Is company mission oriented "all hands on deck until the job is done" culture? Perform enough research to know where your skills, experiences, and values learned will be most readily identified as being "positive", and then give a brief career history highlighting those areas into your resume that bring on an "Aha!" from the reader. You will find that, more often than not, it will cause the recruiter to pick up the phone and call you in for an interview!

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As a Headhunter or Recruiter, what keywords would you enter if you wanted to find the most qualified candidate for the job? Recruiters expect to find the right person by identifying the resume with the most keywords used in their initial job announcement/advertisement. Companies advertising online place relevant and desired "key words" into their resume screening program - Applicant Tracking System (ATF) software. ATF, also known as talent management systems (TMS) is used to garner, analyze, and coordinate resumes and applicant information. One important fact - these tracking systems screen out about one half of all resume submissions. Many unsuccessful online job seekers have long believed that their online resume submissions go into an obscure resume abyss. These futile job hunters may really be on to something! One reason, at least 40-50% of all online submissions by job hunters get screened as "not having the basic qualifications for the job" even though the submitter may truly have the qualifications. These candidates simply failed to place those qualifications into their resume via select keywords.

To make an impact, and prove you are qualified for a position, when applying for a position titled "operations manager" ensure that both of the title words - "operations" and "manager" are strategically placed in your resume (preferably in the top one third). Note: Another way to enter the chasm of resume doom is to confuse the screening/tracking software with the presentation of your information and dates in the "Job History" or "Experience" section. Always list the employer first and then list dates of employment (on the right side of the page).

Headhunters and Recruiters like "dynamic" "pop off of the page" verbiage! While your resume design should be presented in a simple, easy-to-read format to get the best results, each sentence within your "Skills/Value Added" and "Employment History" sections should start off with dynamic and anomalous action words. Such pop out lead-in's can include action words such as "Employed forward thinking leadership to motivate staff...", or "Led teams in operational and compliance initiatives, improving internal control, and financial results...".

Remember - It's not about you, it's all about the Headhunter or Recruiter and their company or the company they represent. Take a look at the company's website for clues to their values - can you align yourself with a company's culture (often defined by their mission statement)? Aligning yourself and your resume with the organization and its mission is extraordinarily important for success in any online resume submission.

copyright 2012 Metroplex Resume Service

Six Strategies for Getting Hired

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As a job seeker, putting your best foot forward isn’t always easy.  Fear of rejection, embarrassment over past job performances, or anxiousness can set in.  Don’t let your emotions overtake you.  Here some strategies to get you hired:

1. Research the company and position before the interview. Read current articles, press releases, and visit the company’s website for any pertinent information. Write down anything and everything an interview might ask about what you know about the company.

2. Find a way to determine what a “good fit” means to the employer.  Your objective is to find out how you might uniquely enhance the company through the position you are interviewing for. Example: “How would you describe your organization’s culture?”

3. Don’t divulge too much information during the interview. You may believe revealing information about your previous working environment, your family, or your hobbies is important to the interviewer, but revealing too much gives him/her an opportunity to formulate assumptions and possibly draw negative conclusions about you as an employee.

4. Remain open minded during the interview. Before the interview, clear your mind of any assumptions, fears, and expectations you may have so you will be emotionally neutral and can maintain an open-minded perspective. If you start to feel expectant or apprehensive, needy or overconfident, change your position in your chair, take a deep breath–do anything to distract yourself and get back to neutral.

5. Don’t appear desperate for the job. The very appearance of desperation can kill your advantage in a job interview.

6. Concentrate on what you can control during the interview. Basically, there are only two things you can control in the interview- your demeanor and your responses to the interview questions. Listen to the questions carefully, take notes if necessary, answer questions by constantly keeping the interviewer’s objectives in mind. Answer questions demonstrating how you fit in with and can advance the employer’s goals.

Copyright 2012-13

Creating the Perfect Interview Portfolio




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The perfect interview portfolio begins with copies of items pertinent to the position you are applying for. It is a good idea to only bring copies to the interview and not the originals - this way, you can give the copies to the employer, if requested, and retain the originals for later use.  Important items which should be in your portfolio include:

1.  Multiple copies of your resume (at least 4-6, in case you have a multiple interviews or interviewers)

2.   At least two copies of your cover letter (or letter of interest)

3.   4-6 copies of your up to date reference list

4. A fully completed employment application (get a blank application form from the internet and fill it out completely before going to the interview so that you can easily transfer the information onto the employer’s application)

5.   Your personal branding statement (or commercial) to reference while waiting for the interview

6.   A calendar (in case you are asked when you can start your new position)

7.   A note pad (to write notes during the interview and, if necessary, to hold in your lap so you don’t make too many hand gestures)

8.   A working pen (be sure to test it before you go to the interview)

An interview portfolio doesn’t have to be fancy, nor does it need to be leather or similar material. It can be a simple manila folder or a paper folder with pockets (as long as it is not brightly colored).



Copyright 2012-13

Is Your Reference List Employer Ready???

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When looking for employment in any industry, job seekers should have an up-to-date (most current information) professional reference list.  Unfortunately, many job seekers have a propensity to want to add this list to their resume.  However, a professional reference list should be created on a separate page and should not be forwarded with along with the resume, unless requested by an employer.  Savvy job candidates will have at least one copy of their reference list with them when going to an interview because they know that most employers typically ask applicants for references once the interview has ended. 

A professional reference list should include at least three names of past or present employers, supervisors, coworkers, instructors, or someone with whom you have performed volunteer work.  The list should not include any relatives, friends, or religious leaders unless a job seeker has worked or volunteered with them in a professional setting.  Before submitting a reference list to an employer, applicants should ask each individual on the list if they are willing to provide a positive reference.  The list should be contain each individual's full name, job title, relationship to the applicant (i.e. employer, co-worker), phone number, and email address.  

Job Seeker Tip of the day:  Fill out a blank application form at home with all of your information (including reference information) and take it with you when called for the interview.  This will ensure you have all of the information ready and available to fully complete the application.  It definitely will get attention!

Copyright 2012-13.

Writing an Impressive Resume

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When most people write a resume, they assume that the resume's reader knows more than they do. Remember, when sending out your resume, it must clearly speak to its reader about you and your abilities.  When someone is reading your resume, you can't speak to explain any inconsistencies, clear up any confusion, or fill in things that are missing to its reader.  That is why your resume must paint a picture of you and your abilities...

Understand Your Viewer(s)

A large amount of resumes are ineffective for the reason that their creators fail to concentrate on the employer’s wants and needs for the position.  You can easily win an interview for the job if your resume demonstrates how you can add value to your target business.

If you can’t tell an employer why they should hire you, then why should they?  You must know what employers are looking for. Employers hire new employees to solve a problem or take advantage of an opportunity, whether it's an entry-level position, or a senior leadership role. Employers don’t just create an available job just for fun.

This is why you should not begin to write your resume until you have identified the type of companies you are want to work for and researched them to understand their needs.

Create Impact

Employers reading your resume have just one question: "What's in it for me? They want to know that you have made an impact on other companies. That's why the bulk of your resume must be focused on IMPACT, not responsibilities.

Your resume must demonstrate what impact you had in your prior positions and so that the employer can begin to imagine the impact you will have their business.

Replacing old, tired, overused lists responsibilities with energetic accomplishment bullet points is a guaranteed way to increase your resume response rate.

Use Design Effectively

Design is the aspect of resume writing that is most often overlooked by busy job seekers - but it's incredibly important. Your resume will initially be scanned for 20 seconds or less before a decision is made about whether your resume belongs on the "no" pile. In order to make it past that first screen, you need to ensure that your key selling points jump off the page at first glance, so they should be strategically placed in the upper one third of your resume.

Remember, a badly designed resume results in lost interviews, so do not skimp on this important stage of the hiring process. If you cannot make a standout resume, then it is time to hire an expert!  After all, it's the interview and the job you are after...




Copyright 2012-14 Metroplex Resume Service

Networking and Building Lasting Professional Relationships

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Networking is the act of creating professional relationships.  A professional network is important when you begin searching for a new job, whether it is within or outside of your current or past employment.   One way to begin to build upon your professional network is by contacting and adding current or former coworkers, supervisors, or instructors. Talk with them about any new skills or technologies that you have learned.  Ask them if they are willing to be listed as a reference or to write you a recommendation on Linkedin.    

Your network can also be expanded through volunteer opportunities in community organizations.  This is a really good way to meet interesting people in different positions and from different companies or industries.  Attending workshops, conferences, and seminars will also provide a chance to meet people inside and outside of your chosen field.  Attending these events can also be used as a resume builder/enhancer and demonstrate to potential employers that you are willing to learn new concepts and put to good use your interpersonal skills.

Once you have established your professional network, it is very important to maintain it.  Keep all network contact information current by contacting those persons in your network at least annually. Maintaining a solid network can benefit you for years to come.  

Copyright 2012.  All rights reserved.

The Meaningless Objective Statement

Are you still using an Objective Statement on your resume? If so, you should remove it.  Objective statements are meaningless to employers.  However, for some unknown reason, many job seekers (and resume writers) continue to use them.  

Employers know, as should you, that your objective is to get the job - so the objective statement is usually considered by them to be meaningless fluff. Hiring managers really don't care to read about your objective, they want to know about you and what you can do for their company. So, save your valuable resume space for a branding statement or summary that gives the reader a reason to continue reading your resume and call you in for an interview.

Accepting an Offer of Employment

 

When accepting an offer of full time employment or an internship (whether paid or unpaid) you should honor that commitment.   Additionally, when you accept an employment offer or other career opportunity, you should immediately withdraw from the recruiting process completely.    This includes:

1.   Removing your resume from all job sites.

2.   Contacting all employers you may have interviewed with to let them know you have accepted another position.

3.   Declining any and all future interview invitations (for at least one full year).

4.   Contacting any recruiters you may have applied with so that they will discontinue their search for you a position.

5.   Fully committing to your new position for at least one year – no matter what.

Copyright 2012-13 Metroplex Resume Service

SUPERLATIVE INTERVIEWING

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A superlative job interview can be characterized as performing and articulating precise details during the interview process that set you apart and land you the job! The secret to a successful interview begins with just three easy steps:

1) Comprehensively researching the company prior to the interview;

2) Preparing for the interview by taking part in one or more mock interviews comprised of questions you envisage you may be asked during the interview;

And finally:

3) Developing answers to the questions asked which clearly articulate why you should be the interviewer’s candidate of preference.

The preliminary step in laying the groundwork to the superlative job interview is to research and find everything you can on the business you will be interviewing with. Carefully examine the job’s description... exactly what are they really looking for in an employee? Do you meet or exceed their requirements? Begin to compose good notes and review them often. Well prepared notes will also equip you for a pre-screening phone interview, if there is one.

You can never do too much research regarding the position, duties, its place in the company’s culture, and most importantly – its role in achieving the company’s mission. To that end, ensure you know and fully understand the company’s mission statement because it is probably one of the most significant items in learning a company’s culture. Is the company numbers driven? Or, are they customer fulfillment driven? Familiarizing yourself with the company’s culture might also include checking to see if they display a diversity statement. A company that visibly presents a diversity statement is one that respectfully maintains that they do not discriminate against job candidates during the employment process and fully embrace a diversely rich workforce.

When preparing to take part in one or more “mock” interviews, make the interview experience as practicable as possible. Dress and equip yourself as though you are going to a “real in-person” interview, including bringing your up-to-date portfolio information and multiple copies of your updated resume. Ensure that your “pseudo” interviewer asks you at least 20 of the most common behavioral interview questions. If possible, have someone record your practice interview so that you can review and hear how you perform, look, and sound. Do you give the impression of being composed, or do you look ill at ease? If you feel you appear uncomfortable or self-conscious, start the simulated interview over and try smiling (yes, a fleeting smile can help alleviate anxiety).

You will soon become aware that the more you practice the less distraught you will be for the actual interview. Fine-tune your vocal tones as you answer the mock interviewer’s questions. Rehearse and ascertain how to modulate your voice to place emphasis and enthusiasm on noteworthy information you want to express to the employer in the course of the interview, and endeavor to speak in a lower, measured intonation in other portions of the interview. Once the interviewer has ended their portion of the interview and asked if you have any questions for them, have several well developed questions to pose to them regarding the job or the company – but don’t fail to remember that salary and benefits is a segment of a subsequent future interview and is not broached in the “initial interview” unless brought up by the employer. Finally, end each and every interview with a solid handshake and a genuine smile. Superlative job interview accomplished!

Copyright 2012-13 Metroplex Resume Service