Remember: You have a better chance of getting hired if you know how recruiters think and what they look for. Recruiters are usually the gatekeeper for hiring managers. A recruiter on your side can often make the difference between an unanswered email and an offer letter.
This week we continue our series of conversations with recruiters, asking them 10 questions that will hopefully give you an advantage in your job search. We started with Sean Rehder, and last week we talked with Craig Campbell. This week I offer my own insights. I will be using some of these answers to start broader discussions in the Clearview Collection this year.
I have been around recruiting and hiring a long time. It all started in 1987. I was a young kid, fresh out of college, determined to be a writer, making a small salary managing security guards during the swing shift at a manufacturing plant. Since that time I have been a part of recruiting and hiring in the retail, apparel, aerospace, construction, entertainment, high-tech, security and financial service industries. I have sourced and recruited sales people, security guards, janitors, bankers, executives, software engineers, accountants, recruiters, HR professionals and many others. And that has all boiled down to:
The dumbest thing a candidate ever told me… “All I care about is the money” (quickest way to kill an interview)
I go the extra mile for a candidate when… I feel that they can bring something unique and compelling to the position and the company
I prefer referrals because… As long as the referrer is someone I trust, it saves me time and lowers my risk
The best way to turn a bad interview around is… Ask the interviewer for the top three ways that this position is going to help achieve the company’s goals
My favorite source for great talent is… places no one else is looking (i.e. music schools for computer science talent)
The optimal length of a resume is… There is none… but remember that the longer you go, the greater the chance of boring the reader
When I read a resume / profile I look for... A unique story about a person’s journey through the world of work and the insights they have gained from their mistakes
I read the objective section of a resume because... The objective section is where you tell the story – experience are the plot points, education is background
I have never hired a candidate who… I didn’t trust
The one thing I wish candidates understood is…. nothing ventured, nothing gained
If you have other questions you would like me to ask please send them to jjhunter@gmail.com.
