Ever wondered what makes an ideal candidate in the eyes of a recruiter? What is it that catches our eye when we're scouring CV after CV? How do you grab their attention when you’re having a chat?
In other words, what can you do to help your recruiter help you?
Know what you want or don't want
Right up there for the team at Sarah West Recruitment are two things: Knowing what you want – or sometimes it’s what you don’t want – from your job search. And being honest!
Recruitment Consultant Robyn says “Before I actively start working with people looking for a new sales job, the chances are my starting point will be your CV. With the vast number I look at every day, the more you can help me quickly identify your skills and experience, the better. It's an even bigger plus if you can also let me know the reason why you're looking for a new job. That gives me a feel for how and what I need to do to help you. So it could be that you're looking for a new role with development opportunities or something similar to what you're doing now. Just with a different organisation.”
Robyn's tips to help your recruiter on paper
Job boards: Give as much information as you can in your summary information. Outline your salary expectations, if you’re willing to travel or your availability for example
CVs: If there are things that you absolutely want or don’t want, put it in black and white. I promise I'm not here to judge!
Contact details: Make them easy to find. It’s refreshing to see creativity in CVs but don’t forget to include your phone number or email address
If you seem a good fit for a job we have or a client we’re working with, the next step will be a meeting. So one of our team can understand what really makes you tick. It’s a chance to get to know the real you and for you to set out exactly what you’re looking for.
Robyn says “Our registration meetings aren't about me grilling you – it’s an informal chat and a chance for you to share what's really going to work for you. Please don't think you need to tell me what you think I want to hear, in order to be put forward for a role you've seen advertised. Having an honest conversation, and being able to narrow down what's going to work for you makes it so much easier - for both of us.
“I’d much rather know up front if you want, for example part time, absolutely love talking on the phone or couldn’t stand a long commute because I’m not here to shoehorn you into something that’s not right. I’ll only ever put you forward for a role after we’ve chatted it through and we agree it ticks all the right boxes, and that includes making sure the organisation's right for you culturally too."
Robyn's tips when for meeting with your recruiter and beyond
Know what you need: Think about and be clear on any ‘must haves’ or ‘deal breakers’ before your meeting and talk through them
Be yourself: Relax and let your personality shine through. Skills and experience are important but matching you to an organisation that's going to 'suit you', is equally as important
Carry on communicating: Particularly if your circumstances change which means your job-search criteria needs to change too
Give feedback: If you have an interview, let your recruiter know your thoughts afterwards. If it’s the job of your dreams and you get it – amazing - if not, any feedback will help shape future searches
“At the end of the day I want to get the best outcome for those I'm helping - those who are looking for a new job and the organisations who I'm recruiting for - and quickest way of achieving this is by being honest all the way through the process. And that goes for me too – if you're being unrealistic in terms of your job search – I’ll be honest with you. It’s by far the quickest way of getting the result that everyone wants!”