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Top Ten Things Recruiters Really Wish You Knew

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Jeff Gilden

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The hiring process can often be long and exhausting, but when you work with a recruiting firm, you can often gain insights into what to expect. A recruiter can be your ally, a partner in matching your experience and skill sets with the best possible role. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you as the candidate need to contribute to make is a successful hiring process. There are some ways that you and your recruiting team can work together to help you position yourself as the best candidate for a role.

Here are a few of those things that your recruiter would love for you to understand during your time working together.

Your LinkedIn should be up to date just like your resume

Your LinkedIn profile is essentially your digital resume, so potential employers will be concerned if it doesn’t match the resume that is submitted by the recruiter. Be sure to keep your profile current with the experience you have on your most recent resume to avoid being thrown out of the race before it even begins!

First impressions are of the utmost importance – both the written and verbal communications

If you are asked to interact with the hiring manager via online communications, be conscientious of how your email may read. You should check not only for correct grammar and punctuation but also tone. If your first interaction is via a phone interview, try to avoid using filler words such as “um” or “like” and speak in cohesive sentences. Chances are you will be evaluated based on each interaction while the hiring team is forming their initial opinions of you.

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You must prepare for an interview – in fact, you should be doing your research well before the interview

Even before your recruiter indicates that you have been offered an interview, you should have already begun your research on the organization. This research could include its mission and services and the role itself. Once you have confirmation of the interview, it is time to get in depth with your preparation. The interview should include finding out who will be on the interview panel. Finding commonality with your interviewer will give you a huge leg up in the process. In fact, about two-thirds of your preparation should be on understanding who you are interviewing with. You should also consider looking at all social media channels, articles, press and blog posts that the company has posted. Throughout your research and preparation, you should form four to five questions to present at the end of your interview. This shows the hiring managers that you’ve done your research and are engaged in the opportunity.

Confidence is key – you’ve been invited to an interview for a reason

Your recruiter can be a great resource when preparing for the upcoming interview. They may be able to give you inside information regarding the company, a hiring manager’s “must-haves” and more. If you’re exceptionally nervous about your interview, ask the recruiter to help walk you through some practice questions. You’ll want to appear confident on the day of the interview, so try your best to get those jitters out beforehand!

And your recruiting team is rooting for you throughout the process – so keep them in the loop and they will do the same for you

A recruiter/candidate relationship can grow sour very quickly if either party is not respectful of the other’s time during the hiring process. Since most hiring processes will be different, it is important for both the recruiter and the candidate to communicate anything that the company shares with them throughout. Radio silence is unacceptable on both sides – if the company decides to not move forward with your candidacy, your recruiter will let you know as soon as they can. Additionally, if you are no longer interested in the opportunity presented, be sure to share these feelings with your recruiter.

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The follow-up is just as important as the interview itself

Don’t forget to send a quick thank you note to all the individuals who you interview with – many will candidates forget to do so, and this easy task will set you apart from the competition! You should also plan to call your recruiter after an interview to show your appreciation and update them on how the meeting went.

Recruiters don’t make the hiring decisions

It may seem like common sense, but the recruiter is not the one who makes or sways a company’s decision to hire a candidate. Be cognizant of this during the silence period post-interview. Your recruiter can only tell you what they know, and sometimes a company needs additional time to make a hiring decision.

Make sure your references are solid – because they will be checked

If an organization asks for references, it’s highly likely that they will be checked. Be sure to alert your references to this possibility and offer only those that will reflect well on you and your experiences.

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A recruiter often has more than one candidate up for a role – everyone will be treated fairly, but there is confidentiality at work throughout the process

In many situations, a recruiter will have offered multiple candidates to interview for the same role at the same client company. This doesn’t mean they don’t want you to get the role just as much as you do – they want an organization to see a variety of options in order to select the best match. Regardless of how many candidates a recruiter is working with, your hiring process will be kept confidential throughout.

Ask your recruiter for their honest feedback about the process – especially if you don’t get the role

It’s easy to want to hang up the phone immediately after getting the feedback that you’ve lost the role, but it’s very important to request honest feedback from your recruiter. Though it may hurt your pride, you will learn things you would not have identified otherwise – and that will help you to avoid the same mistakes in the future!

Biotech Partners has developed strong relationships with both their candidates and their client companies. If you’re interested in partnering together to find the right role or person for your open role, book a complimentary call to discuss your specific needs. We’re more than happy to get you on your way to finding the perfect match!

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