1. Dress "business casual" : Even though this should be common sense, I have interviewed someone who came in sockless before. Seriously people, if you are trying to show your best side to a potential employer a suit is the way to go. Every single time. Unless of course the interviewer tells you specifically not to dress up.
2. Use slang in an email: believe it or not, your future employer is checking to see what your written skills are in a professional environment. no y'all or cool or stuff in your emails.
3. Put a picture on your resume: I have come to understand that this may be the "norm" in other countries. Here in the US it just gets your resume passed around the office for a giggle.
4. Personal info on the resume: It is great if you are actively involved in an organization that involves your hobby, by all means add that information... Do not add your sewing hobby, marital status, or the 3.5 kids/animals you have at home. Not interested and will not ask.
5. Multiple phone calls: The recruiter and/or hiring manager did not forget about you. A courtesy email after a few days is fine, but stalking a very busy person is not a good idea. Bad impression.
6. Blue tooth: This invention is awesome, but it has no place in the interview. Take it off and do not tell the interviewer that you "forget" about it. The last thing I want is someone going to a client's office and "forgetting" to take their blue tooth out for a meeting. What else are you going to forget about if the blue tooth on your body is forgettable.
7. Not researching the company: No excuse. If you want the position, it is worth the hour long website research to find out what the company is all about and develop some questions about them.
8. Phone ringing: and even worse you taking the call. The interviewer has taken time out of their day to speak with you. Turn it off, leave it in the car. This clearly also applies to texting while interviewing -- as dangerous as texting while driving ;)
9. Understanding your experience: Make sure that you can communicate your background clearly and apply it to the job description you were given. Best idea is to create a "match-up" between your skill base and the needs of the company.
10. Wrong contact info on the resume: seriously? I won't even give an explanation here.
Showing posts with label resume. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resume. Show all posts
Jun 30, 2010
Mar 26, 2008
Standing out in a crowd
How do I get a recruiter to see me?!
I have a couple ideas of ways to get attention so that you are brought up for EVERY possibility within an organization. It may seem as though some of these things are a waste of time, but I promise they are not and may be the key to helping you find the position you really want and not just one you are qualified for.
#1 Tell people what you want and can do not what you think you could do if it was the last job on the planet. ( you will be more passionate and will deliver a more promising pitch of your skill base)
#2 Write a cover letter that shows your communication skills and explains many of your "hidden talents" that may not be listed on a resume. (this can also help explain any time gaps)
#3 Find out characteristics of your hiring manager or recruiter, it is always good to connect with someone on a personal level..... And maybe you can help each other in more than one way!
#4 Ask for the Linked-in connection to the Recruiter or hiring manager. This will not only help you to expand your network, but to also ping a decision maker without being pesky :) This can also help with opportunities down the road, where numbers and emails get lost the networking site will be there to connect to old contacts.
#5 Find out who you both know and have in common. Sometimes this can be conquered by sending in a reference sheet early. It will be viewed and you could possibly know the same individual... It is perfectly reasonable to ask the decision maker to contact you first before using the references :)
#6 Humor. This works for everything
#7 Ask for a visit. If you can catch a person off guard and snag a visit with them it always gives you an opportunity to sell what you can do and again connect with other people
#8 Provide updated contact information.... This seems like common sense, but that mass email letting everyone know you are moving onto a new position or have changed your phone number can make a difference.
#9 Be upfront about your current interviewing process. Recruiters always want to stay in touch, whether they get you the job or not. Be sure to let them know where you are interviewing and how far you are in the process--- maybe they know someone and can help:)
#10 Referring colleagues. This is a no-brainer. Most recruiting firms offer referral bonuses and would much rather have a candidate that is a known entity. No matter what your friend is looking for send their resume to your most trusted recruiting pals. They will be grateful.
This is all I have for the day :) New sites to take a look at:
www.atlantawomensnetwork.com
www.thethinpinkline.com
www.zoominfo.com
www.atlantaevent.com
I have a couple ideas of ways to get attention so that you are brought up for EVERY possibility within an organization. It may seem as though some of these things are a waste of time, but I promise they are not and may be the key to helping you find the position you really want and not just one you are qualified for.
#1 Tell people what you want and can do not what you think you could do if it was the last job on the planet. ( you will be more passionate and will deliver a more promising pitch of your skill base)
#2 Write a cover letter that shows your communication skills and explains many of your "hidden talents" that may not be listed on a resume. (this can also help explain any time gaps)
#3 Find out characteristics of your hiring manager or recruiter, it is always good to connect with someone on a personal level..... And maybe you can help each other in more than one way!
#4 Ask for the Linked-in connection to the Recruiter or hiring manager. This will not only help you to expand your network, but to also ping a decision maker without being pesky :) This can also help with opportunities down the road, where numbers and emails get lost the networking site will be there to connect to old contacts.
#5 Find out who you both know and have in common. Sometimes this can be conquered by sending in a reference sheet early. It will be viewed and you could possibly know the same individual... It is perfectly reasonable to ask the decision maker to contact you first before using the references :)
#6 Humor. This works for everything
#7 Ask for a visit. If you can catch a person off guard and snag a visit with them it always gives you an opportunity to sell what you can do and again connect with other people
#8 Provide updated contact information.... This seems like common sense, but that mass email letting everyone know you are moving onto a new position or have changed your phone number can make a difference.
#9 Be upfront about your current interviewing process. Recruiters always want to stay in touch, whether they get you the job or not. Be sure to let them know where you are interviewing and how far you are in the process--- maybe they know someone and can help:)
#10 Referring colleagues. This is a no-brainer. Most recruiting firms offer referral bonuses and would much rather have a candidate that is a known entity. No matter what your friend is looking for send their resume to your most trusted recruiting pals. They will be grateful.
This is all I have for the day :) New sites to take a look at:
www.atlantawomensnetwork.com
www.thethinpinkline.com
www.zoominfo.com
www.atlantaevent.com
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