Blog, Interview Skills
According to Glassdoor, recruiters on average sort through 250 applications for a job and then narrow down the selection to four to six candidates and review them to select one person for the role — a lot of work on the recruiters’ part! On the candidates’ part, this means far more work. They need to position themselves distinctly to stand out. And after the application, with a lot of luck, they have reached the make-or-break stage of interviews. This first point of contact with recruiters is where applicants need to make the right impression. Here are some tips to remember when facing your recruiter in-person or on the phone for a screening interview.
Look (or Sound) the Part
Get dressed to mean business. Your clothes must reflect the job you are applying for and be pressed to perfection. Shoes must be polished, and your attire should fit you smartly (avoid overly baggy or extremely tight fits). For a phone interview, sounding smart and confident are almost a replacement for your attire. Make sure to have your answers prepared in advance, but while answering, do not make it sound too rote.
Reach Out to the Recruiter
Reaching out to the recruiter is not as bad as it appears. A career coach recommends doing so because it offers the recruiters a chance to take a shine to you and further consider your candidacy. LinkedIn is a good way to search for the recruiter’s managers and send them messages to connect. Personalized messages are always better than generic ones.
Perform Good Research
Make sure to research the company thoroughly. Scour the website, mission statements, social media accounts, and be prepared to talk about how you can fit in with the company’s goals and culture. Your response to the “five-year plan” question should be relevant to the company’s objectives down the line.
Use the STAR Method
When the interviewer asks the behavioural questions, use the situation, task, action and result format to answer. Describe a situation where you had to solve some problem or achieve something specific. Elaborate on how you achieved the task at hand using particular steps and procedures to attain the result. Try and show how your input brought about some crucial change to the way the company does business.
Ask Questions
Asking the right questions shows that you are serious about working in the company and the role. Not asking any questions shows the opposite. Ask about things like day-to-day tasks in the role, the training and support options, the most challenging aspects of the job, and how you could prove your worth quickly in the company.
Thank You and Follow-Up Emails
An email to say thank you is a must the next day of the interview. In it, reiterate your interest in the position and how you meet the requirements. Moreover, there is no harm in sending a follow-up email after a week or so to ask the recruiter whether they have made a decision, and if they have any feedback on the interview.
Arslan Ahmed | Staff Writer