The One Quality That Every Job Seeker Needs

The One Quality That Every Job Seeker Needs

It sounds like click-bait (and in many respects, it is – we do want you to read our blog, after all), but please bear with me.

There is one overarching theme that I see in every successful job seeker. I would argue that successful in-house and agency recruiters possess the same quality.

Empathy.

By NGAIRE WALLACE

Think of it this way: traditional recruiters and hiring managers often talk about finding someone who is the right ‘match’ for their job role and organisation. What they really mean is that they want to find a person who fulfils their current needs. They are looking for a puzzle piece to fill a pre-defined hole.

Often, finding the right person happens by happy accident (although it is highly influenced by a recruiter’s innate biases – a subject for other posts).

Job-seeker sees an advert that appeals to them, and they apply. Recruiter calls job-seeker and inwardly lights up when a phone screening reveals the perfect marriage of skills, experience, knowledge, personality and circumstance for the organisation and job role they are recruiting.

An in-house interview with the team’s Manager confirms the recruiter’s judgment, and a job offer is made.

Wonderful – for everyone except those applicants who have been overlooked.

If you are one of those applicants, perhaps making a career change, reaching for a role higher than your current level or coming back after a gap in your career, then there is fast-track to job application success, beyond the usual CV-writing and interview tips.

Empathy. Find out what your recruiter needs, and give it to them. Then find out what your interviewer needs, and give it to them.

There is a famous scene in the film ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ in which Leonardo DiCaprio instructs his audience to “sell me this pen.” I won’t link the scene here, as the language could be deemed inappropriate for a professional forum, but you can find it on YouTube. And I would not suggest that DiCaprio’s character is in any way empathetic, but he does demonstrate one element of empathy, which is also a component of successful sales technique. He shows the importance of finding out what your customer needs, and then supplying them with it. In commercial terms – supply and demand.

Here are four ways to apply empathy to your job search.

Read the advert, and the job description very closely. Look for the key requirements and pitch your application to fit them. Don’t just ‘sell yourself’ i.e. highlight your positive attributes without any thought as to whether they fit the actual requirement; market yourself as the solution to your interviewer’s problems.

Find out why the position is vacant. Are they expanding due to continued growth? In which case, they might have a job role that is somewhat vague, as the position has never been filled before. Show that you can work under your own initiative. Has someone resigned and left at short notice? Show that you are flexible to help out the team wherever needed, and that you don’t mind performing tasks outside of the assigned remit.

Recruiter hasn’t called you back, or sent you the information about the job that they promised? (Yes, we know this is frustrating, and I apologise on behalf of recruiters everywhere). Rather than expressing your frustration, empathise with them. “I know you must be busy – I have started my research already by reviewing the organisation’s website.”

Hiring manager is called into a meeting at the last minute, after you have already travelled an hour to get there? Yes – this is out of order, and in a skills-short market, you may be well placed to simply write off the opportunity and apply elsewhere. But if it’s a job that you really want, think about the outcome you are trying to achieve (a rescheduled interview, and a grateful interviewer), and tell them that you understand their situation and are flexible at their convenience.

The take away point: rather than approaching your job application by pointing out your best features and demonstrating you can do the job, try to find out what the interviewer and the organisation need and market yourself as the solution. And be nice to everyone that you are in contact with along the way, even if they don’t deserve it.

Spread the word

September 17, 2015July 5, 2022

Simplify Your Job Search

Simplify Your Job Search

Job searching irrespective of the length of one’s career can be daunting and frustrating, especially if the process stretches on for longer than you may have expected.

By NGAIRE WALLACE

Despite the talent market being extremely buoyant, as we enter into the second half of the year, employers are still acting with caution. This more often than not leads to a longer application and interview process for roles in comparison to the talent market of previous years.

Below are a few of Project Recruit’s top tips to deal with this anxiety and make the whole process simpler.

Don’t take rejection personally. It is tough when you are rejected for a job that you thought you were perfect for, but you will be serving yourself better by removing your emotions from the equation as much as you can. Job searching is littered with rejection. It is unfortunately part of the process that one must go through. Remain positive and resilient, the perfect role for you is out there.

Time lag is normal. When you’re job searching, time often feels as though it’s moving incredibly slowly. While you are anxiously staring at your phone waiting for it to ring, the hiring manager may not even have begun to wade through their stack of applications. It can help to remember this difference and not get too worked up about why you haven’t heard from them yet.

Hiring managers are juggling lots of other priorities. Hiring the right candidate is paramount for them, but this process of selection all takes time. Be patient and continue searching or channel your focus elsewhere. Mentally move on right away; it’s far better for your peace of mind to put that job out of your head as soon as you have submitted your application because there’s nothing to be gained by pondering.

Spread the word

September 17, 2015July 5, 2022

Job Searching, The Basics

Irrespective of your current work situation, if you are in the market for a new role there are some channels that you should be exploring in order to maximise your reach as a candidate.

By NGAIRE WALLACE

Recruitment Agencies

Registering with recruitment agencies that specialise in the roles you are looking for, be it in your local market or internationally, is a good way of beginning the job search process. Typically you can apply for a role they are hiring for or register with them online. This normally prompts a specialist recruiter to give you a call and discuss your CV and requirements in more detail or to arrange a meeting at their offices so you can meet face to face. As and when roles become live that match your skills and experience they will contact you to discuss relevant opportunities in more detail.

Online job boards

Direct applications through online job boards have become increasing popular over the past decade. The rise of digital media is now wholly applicable to the talent market, with many employers now choosing to advertise their vacancies on job boards as well as briefing recruitment consultancies to source candidates.

Registering with both niche, industry specific job boards, as well as generalist job boards, will help you keep on top of new roles coming onto the market. Once registered, it is best to save job searches in your profile, as well as setting up job alerts. You will then be emailed when new roles matching your searches are advertised.

Social Networking

Social media has very quickly become one of the preferred mediums for employers to attract top talent. LinkedIn is in the midst of its transition from a business networking tool to a job search engine with the largest number of registered professionals on a single website, globally. Having a complete and well written LinkedIn profile increases your chances of being headhunted by recruiters and contacted by employers who are advertising a role that may have applied for.

Spread the word

September 17, 2015July 5, 2022

How To Write A CV

How To Write A CV

I have worked in the recruitment industry for close to 11 years. Over the course of my career I estimate that I have read roughly 200,000 resumes, give or take.

Here are my top tips for writing a successful resume.

By NGAIRE WALLACE

I have worked in the recruitment industry for close to 11 years. Over the course of my career I estimate that I have read roughly 200,000 resumes, give or take. I have seen countless spelling errors and ‘creative’ applications (including photographs of candidates at parties, on safari, and one particularly memorable applicant who included a pic of himself dressed in a frog suit.)

Here are my top tips for writing a successful resume.

Spell check. Have a friend read it for you and pay attention to spelling in context, as some words will be missed by an automated spell checker (for example, you are applying for a ‘role,’ not a ‘roll.’)
Stick to plain and simple. Recruiters and hiring managers are in a hurry, and may not read between the lines. Make it easy for us to identify that you have the skills and experience we are looking for.
Use a plain font and avoid pictures, graphics, colour and borders, unless you work in a creative industry (and even then, remember that taste is relative and use your flair with caution). Avoid using tables when applying through a recruitment agency as these are difficult to reformat, and many agency recruiters will be required to amend your CV to match their company branding before sending to a client.
Where possible, tailor your CV to the specific vacancy that you are applying for. If time prevents you from preparing a new CV for every application, at least write a couple of CVs to suit roles in particular sectors. Do not send a CV to a marketing role that includes a profile stating your dream is to work as an accountant.
Do not lie. It’s not worth the risk.
If you are applying for jobs globally, or you have relocated, check the standard format for CV writing in your new or desired location. For example, in the UK recruiters remove (or at least they should) photos from CVs in order to avoid bias in the recruitment process.
Be sparing with superlatives. If you are a recent school leaver, stating that you have ‘extensive experience’ in any area will come across as naïve at best. Regardless of your level of expertise, use phrases that indicate measurability, such as ‘I have advanced Excel skills’ rather than ‘my technical ability is outstanding.’ Confidence should not be confused with arrogance.
Listen to your recruiter’s advice. They are likely to have an intimate knowledge of their client’s individual quirks and preferences and can tailor your CV accordingly.
Do include a hobbies section, but try to keep it professional, truthful and take care with humour. Do not claim to have a keen interest in netball if you haven’t played for ten years, as you may find yourself, as one of our candidates did, in an interview with a leading netball umpire who will very quickly discover your exaggeration.
Don’t reference a personal blog unless the blog relates to a professional topic and is written with the same care that you have used throughout the rest of your application.
When you think your CV is perfect, read it again

Author: admin