Tag Archives: Recruitment

What Do Hiring Managers Want to See?

What do you need to know when you’re applying for jobs?

Recruiters (Agency or Corporate)  surveyed spend 5 minutes or less reviewing candidate information and even more spend less than 2 minutes.

Given that you don’t have much time to make a good impression, you really need to make sure the impression you make is a good one.

How to leap off the page in the first ten seconds someone looks at your resume.

Following are some “Basic” Tips. There are dozens more.

The presentation of your resume is very important. If a resume looks bad the implication is that the candidate is bad and they are either too commercially unaware to know how important a resume is or too apathetic about their job search. Some examples of ‘bad presentation’ include shabby formatting which makes it hard to read and follow, bizarre pictures, floral borders,  six pages of content that tells the reader nothing. Consistent formatting with bold headlines, clear dates and headlines such as achievements, awards, education and duties really helps to find the information the interviewer is looking for quickly and efficiently.

Tailor your resume to the job!

Often, I have told candidates to have 2-3 versions of their resume.

Use a chronological format over a functional format. The hiring manager assumes you are hiding something if you submit a purely functional resume. Recruiters need to understand all the movement in your career. If dates are missing or if your resume focuses too much on functional skills to downplay the chronology they will become suspicious. Proofread. Proofread. “Proofread.”

Drop the resume objective. Stating at the top of the resume that you want to work in another sector or job than the one you have applied for is a common mistake. Include a summary on your resume explaining how you can add value to the organization, rather than an objective explaining what you are looking for. Hiring managers aren’t interested in what you are looking for; they are interested in people who can solve their business problems. Clearly

Add a competency or skills section to your resume. Make it easy to figure out what your core skills are. The hiring manager needs to know right away if you have the skill set to do the job.

Do not apply to every job posting. Read the job description before applying. Only apply to those jobs where you truly meet the qualifications. Applying to jobs you are not qualified for is a waste of both your time and ours.

Do not call incessantly to follow up on a job posting. If you don’t hear from the company, they have nothing to tell you.

Use Linkedin –it is your best friend in a job search and beyond. Don’t just use it to make contacts but also to do your research. Look at experienced people who are doing the job that you want at the moment. See what types of things they have done and achieved and set about gaining similar qualities. Use them as a template for making yourself as desirable to employers as possible.

Be proactive! Don’t just sit there applying and hope the jobs come to you – go out and find the jobs yourself, building up a big network of contacts whilst you do it. Keep track so you are always on top of who you are in contact with, who they work for and what they can offer you.

But, do not forget. The Employment Process is Just That! A Process.

It Will Not Happen Overnight!

But don’t expect a good job to be sold to you even if you are a good candidate because there will be someone else in the queue who can demonstrate a burning desire to do that role and who the company knows will commit and work hard.

Basically, don’t just be average. Find out what the person recruiting for the job you want is looking for – and then be that person.

Set Yourself Apart From Others. Be Different.

What is Talent Acquisition?

Talent Acquisition refers to the process of identifying, interviewing, and selecting experienced people for a job.

For some parts of the process, mid- and large-size organizations often retain professional recruiters or outsource some of the process to Talent Acquisition agencies.

The Talent Acquisition industry has 4 main types of agencies: employment agencies, Talent Acquisition websites and job search engines, “headhunters” for executive Talent Acquisition, and niche agencies for specialized areas.

How to Correctly Resign from a Job

Two Weeks’ Notice
How to Give Notice that You’re Leaving Your Job

You’re ready to move on to bigger and better things. One last hurdle: quitting your job.

Give notice both verbally and in writing.

Approach your boss in person, but they will still need a resignation letter for their files. Be brief. You don’t have to give details if you don’t wish.

Don’t bad-mouth the company.

You will need these individuals as references later on. Even if you don’t plan to list them on future resumes (say, you were there a very brief time), burning your bridges is a bad idea. You could find yourself face-to-face with a former colleague in an interview two years later, and she might remember the “So long, suckers!” speech you gave at your farewell party, complete with inappropriate gestures. Best to keep all parties happy.

Perform well your last two weeks.

Again, you’ll need references, and word-of-mouth travels quickly in most industries. If complete your tasks, tie up loose ends, and make it easy for your replacement to pick up where you left off, you’ll leave a good impression that will follow you to future jobs.

Be tactful in your exit interview.

Some companies require an interview with HR before you leave. This is the best time to air grievances, if you have any. Petty details, like Linda’s constant sniffle, should be kept to yourself. But if you experience discrimination, bullying, or harassment, now is the time to get this in writing as your cited reason for leaving. This will protect future employees who may be subjected to the same behavior, and alert HR to serious problems in the company. It will also cover your bases in extreme cases if you intend to file a lawsuit.

Be constructive.

If, after nicely giving notice, you feel some improvements may help your replacement, now is the time to say so. But remember to couch the comments as suggestions. Saying, “And by the way, the procedure for credit reversals is asinine,” won’t win you any favors. Try: “It might help to streamline this procedure for productivity.”

Last but not least, be kind during your last few weeks. Take the time to thank anyone who has personally helped further your career. Bring cookies. Compliment people whose performances you admire. You’ll leave on a good note, and that’s best all around.