|
Wondering how to explain Liaison to your friends?
Point 'em to our new FAQ section. Just click on "FAQ" at the
top of our resources page.
|
|
|
|
|
Summer
2011
Welcome to the Summer 2011 issue of SWOOSH, the 13th installment of Liaison's newsletter created to help us
stay in touch with our favorite creative and marketing talent. We started SWOOSH in 2006 to provide helpful
links and our own insight to the career-minded person. We hope you find it helpful, and we always welcome your
feedback. -
The Liaison SWOOSH! News Team
|
|
| Good Manners for Job Hunting |
By Supatra Cooper
Recruiter, Liaison Resources, LP
|
|
|
In today's challenging economy, many job-seekers are applying to as many positions they are qualified for as possible. With such a competitive market, many candidates are going further than just applying; many will choose to follow up their application with a phone call and/or e-mail to the respective HR department and/or hiring manager as well. In this competitive marketplace, a candidate's personal interactions with the recruiter or hiring manager play a key role in determining who gets interviewed and who gets hired. A great way to distinguish yourself from other candidates often comes down to a simple concept: good manners.
As recruiters, we speak witha variety of applicants every day. It's usually the most polite,professional,and cooperative of candidates who move forward in the interview process. Here
are some key points to keep in mind when talking with a prospective employer:
1."Thank You"
Although simple, a gracious "thank you" letter or e-mail sent to a hiring manager after an interview truly sets you apart from the rest. In this day and age of instant communication, a "thank you" e-mail can be composed in 5 to 10 minutes and received instantly. Additionally, if you are able to score a phone interview (or, even better, a face-to-face interview), the "thank you" e-mail is increasingly impressive and important. Keep it simple: kindly thank the interviewer for their time and mention that you enjoyed meeting with them. Also convey that you are looking forward to the next steps in the interview process. The "thank you" note is also a great way to revisit and reinforce key points of your conversation. You'd be surprised as recruiters how many candidates we speak to on an average day. The ones who say "thank you" always
stick out in my mind.
2. TMI
Like meeting someone for the first time, be it at a party or networking event,
don't over-share in your application. On a professional cover letter or resume, "too much information" can include pictures, hobbies, marital status, or other irrelevant info. In your resume, it's best to only include only the information pertinent to the position you are applying for. Too much information too soon can seem a desperate attempt to be "the jack of all trades." As
a recruiter, I'm looking for specific skills that you have specific experience
in. Take the time as you apply to various positions and try to market that resume
towards that position.
3. Aggressiveness
Many candidates will follow their application (and even interview) with a follow-up
phone call or email. This email or phone call can be what sets you apart from
the rest. There are many frustrated job seekers right now, but please do not
bully or intimidate the hiring manager into considering your application or pushing
for more feedback than is appropriate. This will only look desperate and overly-aggressive.
A polite follow-up call is acceptable (unless the recruiter specifically requests
an email instead). I would suggest not calling excessively (multiple times a
day/week). One follow-up call or email is appropriate (ask the interviewer what
they'd recommend). Keep it simple. If you have questions about the process, please do ask. However, if when you follow up, you receive word that your are not being considered or that your application has not yet been reviewed, please do not bombard the recruiter/hiring manager demanding "why not?" and "what's wrong with my credentials?" Remember: there are many, MANY applicants for one specific job. If you just got a "no", chances are, the recruiter just had to say "no" to several dozen other jobs seekers too. To aggressively bombard the hiring manager with multiple calls/e-mails will only convey an aggressive member of a team (or, a "non-team player.")
We're looking for a team member, not an aggressive bully.
4. Polite Questions
Like any situation where you are speaking to someone you just met, polite questions
are a great tool to learning more about the person and conveying interest. This
goes for applying/interviewing as well. All recruiters and hiring managers will
ask you if you have any questions regarding the position. If you do have questions,
this shows attentiveness and interest. Even if you don't have questions, quickly
reviewing the talking points of the interview tells the hiring manager you were
engaged in the conversation. Overall, we're looking for you to be excited and engaged in the position we are considering you for. Conveying a lack of interest by not asking questions or answering simply by "yes" or "no" does
not tell me you are particularly interested in this position.
5. Lingering
The consideration process can be a daunting one. From submitting your application
and resume to securing an interview, the process can be a slow build-up to hopefully
landing a position. The best practice would be to ask what the next steps will
be and when you should expect to hear back after an initial interview has taken
place. Please note that if you are not selected to move forward in the process, when notified, it would be best not to ask for any additional favor. This includes such statements as "I can relocate" or "keep me in mind for anything else." This
could come across, once again, as overkill. Kindly thank the interviewer for
their time and consideration and leave it at that.
6. Voicemail Etiquette
It is inevitable when applying for a position that you will probably leave a voicemail or two. Voicemails are increasingly important: this is the lasting impression of yourself that can potentially be listened to multiple times or erased quickly! The key is to keep your voicemail short, sweet, and to the point. Simply state you name, what position you applied for, and your reason for calling (following up/questions/etc). Again, following appropriate manners, you don't want to leave a voicemail that is long, vague, agitated, rude, or overly aggressive. More importantly, if the recruiter has stated that he or she prefers email, please don't call at all. Aggressive or tone-deaf follow up could lead to your application's status being diminished even before it takes life.
Remember that polite manners will take you further than aggressive follow up.
The market is tough out there, we know! However, if a candidate can still represent
themselves with poise, confidence, and politeness during tough times, that tells
the recruiter that you can handle stress in the workplace well and are able to
complete a task while still maintaining a polite demeanor. With instant applications
and electronic communication, too much can be lost in translation. But when keeping
in mind your manners, you will surely stick out among the crowd. |
|
