When you’re job hunting, it’s not always about applying to online postings or digging through newspaper help wanted ads. With the right skills and networking techniques, the head hunters could be approaching you instead. Recruitment consultants narrow their focus in on one responsibility—finding the ideal candidate to fit the role provided by their client. And it’s quite possible that could be you. The key is to be aware of your professional presence and to make yourself available for such opportunities. I recently interviewed a recruitment consultant for advice in regards to how one might tackle this task.
Understanding the Recruiter Role
Myrrha Brady has been involved in executive recruitment for the last 10 years, four years of which she has spent at Four Corners Group. She also previously worked in Human Resources, so she has almost seen it all when it comes to the hiring process; offering extensive experience in dealing with all levels of organizations and endless variations of employment roles. She values the chance to interact with a wide-range of individuals. “You make a difference in people’s lives because you help them find better opportunities for themselves,” she says of being a recruiter.
At Four Corners Group, clients approach the recruiters with their expectations and needs for filling a specific role. The recruiters gather information on required technical skills, specializations and, above all, the cultural fit for the organization. From there, they perform their own target research. This means scoping out the competition, searching the database of previously known candidates, as well as endless associations through networking and referrals.
Showcasing Your People Skills
The key to the recruiting process is finding not only the most talented candidate for the role, but also the most suitable contender for the organization. First, the recruiter is given the opportunity to get to know the employer and become absolutely aware of the dynamics of the organization. From there, they search for the talent. Myrrha highlights some general abilities recruiters are always watching for. “It’s important, when you meet with these individuals or candidates, that they’re effective; strong communication and interpersonal skills have to be there,” she says. “You probe on their adaptability and flexibility, their openness to new ideas and concepts—because that flows through the discussion when you interview them—[as well as] their professionalism, their positive attitude, their energy and their organized behaviour.”
Making yourself available online with an updated website and by networking through various social media platforms are valuable tools for showcasing your skills. Recruiters are taking advantage of these platforms and, therefore, you should be too. They’re noticing the organizations and groups you are involved with and how you associate with others both online and off. So be yourself in these interactions—but make sure it’s your best self.
Tailoring Your Resume
Like most recruiters, Myrrha has sifted through endless piles of resumes throughout her career. “It only takes two seconds to really determine if it’s a good resume or not,” she says. “So you have the first two seconds to really impress the person reading it.” Common mistakes in resumes include: too much jargon, confusing templates, long-winded descriptions of professional history and, worst of all, typographical and spelling errors.
The key in making your resume stand out is to be clear, direct and professional, as well as highlighting your achievements in a way that grabs the reader’s attention. “Another important thing is making sure you tailor a resume to the specific needs of the employer or the role you’re trying to apply for,” says Myrrha. Pay attention to detail. There is no excuse for including an incorrect company title or spelling a potential employer’s name wrong.
Making a Good Impression
When it comes time for the interview, it’s all about looking and acting the part. “Appearance makes a lot of difference because you’re judged even before you utter a word,” Myrrha says. Dress professionally; this means ensuring your clothes fit properly, wearing subtle accessories, and making sure your shoes are polished. Thorough preparation is of utmost importance; it shows the interviewer you are serious about the position and it also helps you swallow your nerves. Being prepared means being aware of every aspect, not only in regards to the clothes you wear, but also by allowing extra time for delays, by speaking clearly and in detail and, of course, by asking smart questions. Myrrha adds one last piece of advice, “Instead of thinking what can the company do for me?, employers and recruiters are looking for what you bring to the table. So be absolutely clear about what you can do for the company that you want to work for.”
