The Soap Box: Recruitment Angel or Demon?

Posted in Candidates

In the month that Da Vinci Code author, Dan Brown, has brought out his new book (smashing book sales records in the process), we’ve written our own little gem. No codes to decipher, just straight up, tell-it-like-it-is advice. It may not be a bestseller, but read on to discover how to succeed at recruitment interviews. Or not, as the case may be.

In a nod to Dan’s previous literary offering, welcome to ‘Angels and Demons’: A Candidate’s Guide to Recruitment Interviews. Which type are you?

Angels

1. Be Prepared! You’re well prepared: you have your ID and registration form with you and have an arsenal of examples to demonstrate your skills and experience. You also look the part. Well done, you are our Angel Candidate. Even more important, you’re likely to be our clients’, too.
2. Be Responsive! Some of our job hunters find their dream role quickly. Other, usually more senior staff, are in it for the long haul – when the right role comes up. Whichever camp your in, keeping us updated with your situation, requirements and circumstances is half the battle when it comes to finding the right role for you.
3. Be Flexible! We know that interview times aren’t always ideal. Showing flexibility will demonstrate your eagerness for the role offered and if not successful, will show a recruitment company your willingness to go the extra mile – vital in today’s increasingly crowded and competitive marketplace.

Demons

1. Timing: There’s nothing worse than a candidate turning up to a recruitment interview fifteen or twenty minutes late. Unless it’s fifteen or twenty minutes early. Just like a job interview, turning up early or late can be an inconvenience, especially in a busy office. Too early? Grab a coffee somewhere local. Too late? Why not call to let us know? As a candidates’ greatest ambassador, it pays to keep recruitment companies on your side…
2. Too Casual: Covering everything from chewing gum or not turning off your mobile, to dressing down and being un-prepared, behaving casually in a recruitment interview can have a detrimental – and lasting effect. The saying, ‘there’s never a second chance to make a first impression’, is just as true of recruitment interviews as client ones. Remember: a recruitment company won’t recommend you or put you forward for positions if they don’t have 100% confidence in your abilities and performance. Take the process seriously and you’ll be offered expert advice as to how you could improve your performance. Don’t take it seriously enough and you’re putting yourself at a professional disadvantage.
3. Trust us: If you’re asked by a reputable recruitment company about your CV, don’t assume it’s because they haven’t read it. They have. It’s just they require more information in order to ensure you’re marketing your skills and achievements to their best potential. So, next time you’re asked a leading CV based question, don’t just point to your CV or flap it in our faces. How rude is that?!

Are there any recruitment or communications issues that you’d like us to focus on in coming editions? Any burning issues? Let us know at sarah@the-works.co.uk or tel. 020 7559 6690. Alternatively, click on our website at: www.the-works.co.uk