How to Get that Interview
How to Get that Interview “It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get up.” Vince Lombardi When you apply for an advertised position, you are often one of many qualified applicants, especially in the current job market. A job interview is critical for advancing through the hiring process, positioning yourself as a strong candidate, and accepting a job offer. It is essential to create a strategy that best demonstrates your qualifications and elevates you above your competition. I would like to help you explore ways you can improve your ability to get an interview and secure a job offer. First of all, knowing that you are likely one of many applicants, how do you get “noticed”? There are a few steps that you can follow to greatly increase your odds of landing that interview. Here are my top 10 ways to get an interview: 10. Be Specific Develop a list of specific target companies that you can identify to those with whom you are networking. For example, if you say, “I want to work in engineering,” that doesn’t really get my brain working. However, if you say, ” I want to work for XYZ company in an engineering capacity, namely leading a team of hardware engineers,” that helps me to a) understand what you are looking for and b) start thinking about who I may know at XYZ company. 9. Know Your Strengths Knowing what you bring to the table and clearly articulating it sets you apart from the masses right away. Often, people are not clear on what they can do to specifically help a company. Companies want to know what you can do for them… it helps to answer that question well. 8. Reach Your Target Companies Know those companies that appeal to you and appear to be a great fit. If you don’t know about the company or if you don’t really want to work there, it typically shows in a conversation. If you are excited about the potential of working for the company and you have clearly done your research that will make you extremely appealing and different from the rest. 7. Develop A Resume That Stands Out From The Rest I have seen great resumes and terrible resumes. What makes a great resume? Clearly defining what problems you will solve for the company and adjusting the resume based on the job available are two important factors. Highlight your achievements rather than your responsibilities, this way you are showing what you have actually done in your last role instead of just copying and pasting your position description. 6. Write An Effective Cover Letter Since your cover letter serves as your first chance to make a good impression on the hiring team, customize this introductory note for the job listing. Be succinct, a cover letter should be short, sharp and to the point and should not copy what already is in your resume but purely an overview of your skills which should tie in with what the selection criteria outlined in the job advert or application pack. At the end of the cover letter, prompt the hiring manager to take the next step in the application process. For example, you can encourage the hiring manager to schedule an interview with you to discuss the job opening further. 5. Don’t Be Afraid To Call The Hiring Manager Be assertive. If you know who the hiring manager is, call him/her and briefly state that you have applied for the position. Take the opportunity to alert them to this and let them know that if they took ten minutes to meet with you, they would find you a viable candidate. The worst thing that can happen is that you get turned down. 4. Don’t Rely On Job Boards Not that you cannot find a job utilizing a job board but statistics show that 90% of jobs are never posted (which is why #2 is what it is) and those that are posted are swamped with job seekers taking the traditional, ineffective route. 3. Create Your Brand Utilizing Social Media Develop your brand as an industry expert using LinkedIn and, if you’re brave, Twitter. Post-professional, relevant articles that are pertinent to the type of jobs in which you are interested. Ensure that your personal social media profiles are market private and are only viewed by a select few. Trust me – ALL hiring managers and recruiters will search your social media profiles to see how you present yourself. 2. Network I can’t say this strongly enough. The best way to make it to the top of the resume pile is to network. Network within your own industry and community and tell people that you are searching for your next opportunity. Meet with recruiters that can help you and who work with companies in your industry. Then, most importantly – follow up! 1. Follow Up Networking and all the other steps are worthless without following up. Be persistent without being obnoxious. Ask your contact how best he/she likes to be communicated with and how often. Respect that they have their own priorities but don’t give up if they don’t respond immediately. While nothing can guarantee an interview, taking a proactive, professional approach will certainly increase your odds. Can we help you? We also offer Career Advice to job seekers where we will help you tailor your resume and LinkedIn profile, prepare for an interview and research companies before you apply. If you are interested in hearing more, please email us at recruitment@eliteexecutive.com.au
The Skills for Success when Job Hunting in 2022
The Skills for Success when Job Hunting in 2022 There is no denying that 2020 and even 2021 has been challenging year for many, and COVID-19 has had a huge effect on everything we do in the world of work. We are now working differently, prioritising differently and even collaborating differently. If you are looking for work in the 2022 job market, it will require a strategic and determined effort to stand out from the crowd. You must think outside the square and you must be willing to spend the time on each and every application you submit. Here are my top tips to help you in your job search in 2022: Your Resume – you must ensure that your resume clearly sells your experience and skills. List your achievements in previous roles and express how your key strengths can add value to the job you are applying for. Include a brief cover letter and ask a trusted friend or family member to review before you send it. Your Applications – Don’t use the same resume/CV in every application. Every employer is different and will be looking for different skills and experience. Research the organisation and read the advert clearly. Ensure you have addressed the key criteria that they have outlined. Tailor both your resume and cover letter accordingly. Want to impress? Address the cover letter to the person accepting applications. If it is not listed on the application, call the company and ask who is managing the process. Your Interview – Preparing for your interview is key. Research the organisation, the team and, most importantly, the people interviewing you (most likely your future manager). Sell yourself. Don’t be afraid to expand on some of your key achievements. Lastly, have some questions of your own to ask at the end. It’s perfectly acceptable to walk into an interview with a notebook and refer to your notes/questions when you need to. 2020/2021 – Many people will have gaps during the past two years, and most people won’t go into much detail as to why they were not working that year as many others have been in the same situation. However, you may be asked how you spent your time or what you learnt from your experiences during the past year. Did you develop and upskill yourself, did you join an association, volunteer at a local charity or complete further education or a short course? Showing how you used your time productively demonstrates an impressive commitment to your field. Your LinkedIn Profile – Is it up to date? Have you grown your network in your proven field, followed relevant content/experts and contributed to content? If not, ensure that you have done so. Follow the companies that you are interested in working for, find out more about their employees and like or comment relevant content. Be Flexible – This goes for many aspects of a role, but be aware of what the salary that is on offer may be. This will change depending on the location, level of responsibility, etc. Do your due diligence – you can even call a trusted recruiter – but make sure you are aware of what the market value is for that position. Many companies have pre-set salary ranges for a given position and will offer within that range according to your experience. If you are working with a recruiter, let them know you are open to negotiation or if there are other benefits that you would like. Some people prefer more flexible working options and many companies are now offering working from home options for a few days per week. Remember, adaptability is key when job hunting. We wish you every success in your job search. Eva GrabnerManaging DirectorElite Executive Pty Ltdwww.eliteexecutive.com.auCairns | Brisbane Eva has been working in the executive and professional recruitment industry for nearly 15 years. She is a highly professional and driven Managing Director and Principal Recruiter with a wealth of recruitment experience across a multitude of industries. Her previous experience includes executive leadership and senior management-level operational roles throughout the world. What stands out as soon as you meet her is her passion for what she does. She is a proud Cairns local and solo parent to her son, Kai.
Recruitment – Expectations vs Reality
/*! elementor – v3.5.5 – 03-02-2022 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} Recruitment – Expectations vs Reality /*! elementor – v3.5.5 – 03-02-2022 */ .elementor-widget-divider{–divider-border-style:none;–divider-border-width:1px;–divider-color:#2c2c2c;–divider-icon-size:20px;–divider-element-spacing:10px;–divider-pattern-height:24px;–divider-pattern-size:20px;–divider-pattern-url:none;–divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(–divider-element-spacing);-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(–divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:””;border-bottom:0;-webkit-box-flex:1;-ms-flex-positive:1;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(–divider-border-width) var(–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(–divider-border-width) var(–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern{–divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider–view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider–view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(–divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(–divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider–no-spacing{–divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider–bg-round{–divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl} /*! elementor – v3.5.5 – 03-02-2022 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=”.svg”]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Keys to understanding and leveraging your relationship with recruiters You have most likely heard negative stories about recruiters who don’t return calls or “head-hunters” who pursue a candidate aggressively, only to disappear. If you listen to all the buzz, recruiting professionals seem to be more likely to lead people on and ghost them than a bad Tinder date. If you’ve ever been frustrated working with a recruiter or recruiting agency, there are two probable reasons for that. Either you were working with a bad recruiter, or you had false expectations about what working with a recruiter is really like. Here are five truths about recruiting that will help you learn what to expect from recruiters and get the most out of any future encounters: Expectation: I should only reach out to a recruiter when I’m actively looking for a new job. Reality: The best time to connect with a recruiter is while you are still in a job, but you want to stay open to other options. Recruiters are typically not a good last resort, but you’d be amazed at how many people come to agencies with comments like, “I’ve been looking for six months and I’m finally reaching out to a recruiter.” Except perhaps in temporary placements, this is the worst time to rely on a third party. When you’re feeling vulnerable, frustrated and maybe even desperate in your search, use as many resources as possible, because so much of the process is based on timing. You might be the greatest Payroll Specialist in the world, but if the recruiter you’re working with isn’t working on a payroll position at that time, they’ll be unlikely to provide help on the timeline you need. So, make sure you are clear on your expectations and timelines up front. Expectation: Every recruiter I meet will be well-versed on a variety of industries and career fields. Reality: Most recruiters are industry specialists or only work on specific types of positions. In fact, you want your recruiter to specialise in what you do! If your experience or interests don’t align with a recruiter’s specialty, they’re typically not as useful to your search because they won’t have the connections, relationships or experience to be a valued resource to either you or the employer in that area. We’re always a little surprised at how upset people can get around this subject, but if you think about it, we don’t expect a person selling real estate in Sydney to find us a house in Perth and we don’t expect a tax attorney to handle our divorce. Wouldn’t you rather work with a market expert rather than someone who does a little bit of everything? One easy way to get the most out of working with a recruiter is to exercise due diligence on a recruiter’s areas of expertise before connecting with them. Do your research and take the time to get to know your recruiter. If they are not living up to your expectations, then speak with another recruiter who will be genuinely interested in and capable of helping you. Expectation: Finding me a job is my recruiter’s top priority. Reality: Recruiters serve two masters: employers and job seekers. Although we are here to be a resource and an advocate for candidates, the placement fee paid to recruiters is always paid by the employer. Their job is to identify and engage great talent, and to keep the process flowing smoothly. Armed with a thorough knowledge of your skills and interests, a recruiter will present you for jobs that match both what you’ve told them you’re looking for and also our client’s needs. However, even if you are qualified, you may not be the most qualified candidate for the role. In these scenarios, the recruiter’s job is to satisfy the employer’s desires regarding what they think is best for the role rather than presenting a candidate who fulfills only the basic requirements. For example, if I was working with a creative agency, and they asked to see candidates who had worked in creative environments, I wouldn’t be a good partner to that client if I submitted a candidate coming out of a manufacturing environment, even if the title and job duties were the same, and even if the candidate really wanted to be in a creative field. Moreover, that candidate would have much more success applying for that role on their own, without a client considering an agency’s fees in addition to the candidate’s lack of industry experience. Additionally, recruiters are almost never the decision-makers determining whether you get an interview or job offer. We typically have limited input into the decision, although they are often the ones who deliver the good or bad news to the candidate. Your recruiter should be as honest and forthcoming as they can be with the feedback and information coming from the client. Expectation: Recruiters can help me define my expectations and hone my interests, and I can call them with frequent questions. Reality: Recruitment is a business, and like any other business, it has goals and targets to reach. Therefore, recruiters will try to spend their time in high-value ways, which means you should set communication expectations up front. Generally, we won’t call you just to chat — if we don’t have jobs that fit what you’ve said you would like to pursue or if you wouldn’t be a strong match for the role then we probably won’t be in touch. Sometimes, we’ll run multiple roles by you, but we may be working on jobs that aren’t in sync
Reference Mistake to Avoid
/*! elementor – v3.5.5 – 03-02-2022 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} Reference Mistakes to Avoid /*! elementor – v3.5.5 – 03-02-2022 */ .elementor-widget-divider{–divider-border-style:none;–divider-border-width:1px;–divider-color:#2c2c2c;–divider-icon-size:20px;–divider-element-spacing:10px;–divider-pattern-height:24px;–divider-pattern-size:20px;–divider-pattern-url:none;–divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(–divider-element-spacing);-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(–divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:””;border-bottom:0;-webkit-box-flex:1;-ms-flex-positive:1;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(–divider-border-width) var(–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(–divider-border-width) var(–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern{–divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider–view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider–view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(–divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(–divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider–no-spacing{–divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider–bg-round{–divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl} /*! elementor – v3.5.5 – 03-02-2022 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=”.svg”]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} 5 Ways references can cost you a job Sometimes the best resume, smartest cover letter, or even the strongest interview skills are not enough to persuade an employer to hire you. To get a job, you also need people who can sing your praises and people who can attest that you are a star employee. Put simply: You need professional references. Unfortunately, in many cases references are often an afterthought for job seekers, which is a major mistake in your job search. For example, many years ago I was recruiting in Sydney (it was Christmas time so I will never forget this!) and I was just about to make a very senior placement with a key client. The job seeker sent me his references and I proceeded to call them. The first one was average, which made me a little nervous, but the second reference was horrendous. The person had nothing good to say about the applicant and the comments were not nasty, just brutally honest. I could not ignore this, and I spoke with the applicant about both references. One of his first mistakes was not advising either referee (even though I asked him to) that they had been used as a reference. His second and most critical mistake was failing to confirm that they could provide a positive yet balanced review of his work. They couldn’t, and needless to say this person was not offered the job. To ensure your references present you in the best possible light, make sure you do the following. Ask the person for permission to list them as a reference Think about whether you are asking the right people to be your reference Prepare your references List someone who will give you a fair but positive review Say thank you Step # 1: Ask the person for permission to list them as a reference Asking if someone will be a reference for you might sound like a basic step, but you would be surprised at how many job seekers forget to do it. Many people just assume that a person is happy to provide a reference, but you should never assume. Always ask, then touch base to advise them that they will be called. It’s simply common courtesy. Step # 2: Think about whether you are asking the right people to be your reference No doubt your mum thinks you’re a superstar and your BFF would have your back no matter what, but alas, you can’t use friends and family members as references. After all, you’re looking for people who can speak to not only your personality, but also to your career skills, achievements and work ethic. You will need to provide the name of someone who you worked for directly and who can give a good overview of your skills and experience. Giving the name of someone you worked with or someone who worked for you is not enough, as they would not have been privy to your detailed KPIs and many possible achievements in your role. If you’re going to use a previous boss as a reference, though, first check to see whether the person is allowed to talk about your job performance. Some companies have policies that only let managers confirm a past employee’s job title and dates of employment, so be sure to double check this when you speak with them. Step # 3: Prepare your references Many recruiters and hiring managers will let you know in advance when they are going to contact your references. So, if possible, you should give your references a heads-up to let them know who will be contacting them and to supply them with an updated copy of your resume. Pro tip: Share the job description with your references, so they can gain a good sense of the position you’re applying for. Depending on how long it’s been since you held the job, you may have to refresh the person’s memory about specific projects you worked on or results you delivered that can be used as talking points. Also, consider asking your references to speak to certain skills, such as leadership, reliability, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. Many employers care more about these particular ‘soft skills’ than they do technical abilities like reading comprehension or mathematics. Step # 4: List someone who will give you a fair but positive review This relates to my personal experience above. Even though you think you were a great employee, your past manager may not feel the same way. Therefore, if you are even the slightest bit unsure of where you stand, ask your references ahead of time what they will say about you. If they don’t plan on flattering you, take them off your references list and move on to the next person. Step # 5: Say thank you Your references are doing you a big favour. They’re not only investing their time for you, but they’re also putting their own reputation on the line, so take the time to send a quick text or email of gratitude. It is a small gesture but it will go a long way. Eva Grabner Managing Director Elite Executive Pty Ltd www.eliteexecutive.com.au Cairns | Brisbane Eva has been working in the executive and professional recruitment industry for nearly 15 years. She is a highly professional and driven Managing Director and Principal Recruiter with a wealth of recruitment experience across a multitude of industries. Her previous experience includes executive leadership and senior management-level operational roles throughout the world. What stands out as soon as you meet her is her passion for what she does.
What does a Recruiter Do?
/*! elementor – v3.5.5 – 03-02-2022 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} What Does a Recruiter Do? /*! elementor – v3.5.5 – 03-02-2022 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=”.svg”]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} An inside look at how recruitment actually works. The definition of a recruiter is “An individual who works to fill job openings in businesses or organisations. Recruiters will work from resumes or by actively soliciting individuals qualified for positions. A recruiter’s job includes reviewing a candidate’s job experiences, negotiating salaries, and placing candidates in agreeable employment positions. Recruiters typically receive a fee from the hiring employers.” A recruiter does more than find people for jobs. They also help people prepare for interviews, assist with resumes and cover letters, manage salary negotiations, advise clients on employment issues, stay up to date with labour laws, and share market and industry knowledge. They may work for a staffing/recruitment agency, they may work for an agency which is placed internally with a client, or they may do corporate recruitment. They might work on commission or retainer. They may be a head-hunter (search consultant) or have people coming to them looking for a role. Recruiters can work in a number of different areas, but how they work is fairly similar in any role. Who does a recruiter work for, and how do they get paid? A recruiter is primarily working for their client, the employer. This can be hard for some people to understand as recruiters need to look out for the best interests of both their clients and candidates. But at the end of the day, their client is the one with a position to fill, and a recruiter will be looking for the best person that fits their criteria. As recruiters are working for a company, the company is the one who will be paying their fee. Fees differ between agencies, industries, and types of roles. Fees are calculated as a dollar value or a percentage of a candidate’s first-year salary. A recruiter only gets paid if they find the perfect person for the role; and remember, the client always makes the final decision on who they hire. What is important to note is that a candidate’s salary should never be affected by that fee. A salary range for a position is set based on a company’s salary structure for that role. While a recruiter’s fee may be determined by a candidate’s salary, it is a completely separate entity. What process does a recruiter follow? Though each recruiter and recruitment agency will operate slightly differently, generally they all follow a very similar process. 1. Open position The first step of this process occurs when a client calls with an open position that they need help filling. Recruiters will then get all the details they need to start working on the role. This involves more than just getting a job description! They will do a deep dive on the position’s salary range, interview questions, benefits to the role or company, leave and other company perks, and the reason the position is open. They will also research the team, management styles, soft and hard skills needed, start date, and even advancement opportunities. 2. Posting a job Recruiters post all open jobs to their company website and relevant job boards, and positions may also be advertised on social media. Recruiters also reach out to their network to find out if any great candidates are looking for work at that time. This will include exploring their existing database and other platforms such as LinkedIn. 3. Finding great candidates The average job posting can receive as many as 250 applications, and those applications can start coming in within 5 minutes of the position having been posted online! A recruiter needs to review all of these resumes to identify the candidates that have the hard and soft skills their clients are looking for. Once they do, they will reach out for telephone or in-person interviews, or a combination of both. These interviews are critical because presenting an underqualified candidate to a client could potentially cause a recruiter to lose that client. A good interview also provides an opportunity for a recruiter to find out all those things that aren’t on a resume. It is these hidden skills and personality traits that are so important to prospective employers and that make the difference between a candidate that is hired, and one that is passed over. Once the recruiter has determined that a candidate matches the experience and personality their client is looking for, AND that the candidate is still interested in the position, they will present that candidate to the client. 4. Presenting candidates Recruiters don’t just email resumes to clients and hope that something sticks. They will talk to their clients about each candidate and “bring them to life” off the paper through discussing their work experiences, career aspirations, and why they will be a match with the client’s needs. Recruiters know that employers hire for both hard and soft skills and will make sure to express both to their clients. Most recruiters will have worked with the clients before and will have a good idea as to who would fit within that particular business. 5. Client interview stage Clients are busy people, often managing large teams, and their schedules fill up quickly. A great recruiter knows this and schedules interview slots in advance to match the schedules for all involved. This helps keep the hiring process as short and succinct as possible. No client wants to miss out on an exceptional candidate because they couldn’t be interviewed for another month. After the interview, the recruiter will collect feedback from both the candidate and client. Recruiters want to make sure they can give their candidates as much feedback as possible – the good, the bad or the ugly – so they know where they stand. 6. Job offer When a job offer is extended to a candidate, a recruiter will often be there as a sounding board for both
Job hunting is a sport: practice hard and play by the rules
Job hunting is a sport: practice hard and play by the rules Latest headlines tell us that Australia is facing the beginning of the “Great Resignation” and we are definitely noticing a turn towards a more candidate-driven market, which makes it the perfect time to start looking for that new role. However, before you start applying for jobs, there are a few key essentials you must follow before you do so. When job hunting, it is best to treat it like a game: take it seriously, practice hard, play by the rules but remember, when you lose, there is always next time. If you’re heading on the job market field, here are our suggestions to help you maximise the chance that you win the game: Is your resume up to date? Most high-level professionals don’t have a current resume and tend to ‘throw something together when job hunting. If you are not up to date on resume formats, cover letters, etc., then get a professional to update yours for you. It’s worth it. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up immediately. Most businesses will check your background via LinkedIn. Again, get a professional to help if you are unsure how to do this. One option for those who have been in the same industry is to look outside the square. See my blog ‘Are you thinking of changing industries.’ Network, network, network! Get out and about within your local business community. Join local chambers, networking groups, etc. It’s the best way to make new business contacts. Be prepared! Make sure you research the company before you apply. If applying via a job site, have you addressed the key criteria in your cover letter? Follow up on applications. Yes, do. Following up will make you stand out. Reach out via a phone call a few days after you have sent your application to ensure it was received by HR. Don’t overdo it, though; there is a fine line between a class act and being needy or desperate, but it may help to draw attention to your application. Have a personal business card made up for your job search. Have accurate and current information and a link to your LinkedIn page. Consider temp or contract work or even volunteering. The experience will help you gain exposure, and sometimes permanent job offers come from contracting. Acquire new skills. Learn new software or update/expand on your skills. Perhaps start that degree you always wanted to. Finally, are you prepared for an interview? Do you know how to present yourself? Here are some quick tips that may help; otherwise, don’t hesitate to contact our team for any assistance with your job search. Good luck with the game of job seeking! Eva GrabnerManaging DirectorElite Executive Pty Ltdwww.eliteexecutive.com.auCairns | Brisbane Eva has been working in the executive and professional recruitment industry for nearly 15 years. She is a highly professional and driven Managing Director and Principal Recruiter with a wealth of recruitment experience across a multitude of industries. Her previous experience includes executive leadership and senior management-level operational roles throughout the world. What stands out as soon as you meet her is her passion for what she does. She is a proud Cairns local and solo parent to her son, Kai.
