Tag: interview

Keen to know what the client really says after your interview?

Posted on by Naomi Marshall

Ever wondered what clients REALLY say to the recruiter after the interview? The story below is 100% true and was taken recently during a call with one of our favourite clients. However, this feedback is not isolated to one person. We hear EXACTLY the same thing (in slightly different formats) over and over….so read on to find out what you need to do to ensure the feedback after your interview is as positive as it can be.

I’m currently working with a fantastic client in the FMCG sector. His business has experienced year on year growth over the past 10 years and he now requires a super star EA to keep him on track. Nothing out of the ordinary there, placing senior EA’s is our core business.

After he met with two candidates we caught up on the phone to debrief.

The conversation went like this:

(For privacy reasons we’re going to call them Jenny and Sue).

Naomi: How did you go with the two candidates?

Client: I really liked both candidates however, Jenny’s answers were so much more in depth and detailed than Sue’s. Sue still answered the questions but there was no passion behind her answers and they fell short. I didn’t really feel as confident in her ability as I did with Jenny.

Naomi: Ok, can you give me an example of one of the questions you ask?

Client: Oh look, I don’t think they’re overly difficult – I just like to encourage the candidate to speak and open up. One of the questions is about as basic as they can be – I ask what makes them a good EA? Both said similar things and both mentioned being organised. Pretty standard answer – no issues there. Obviously that’s something a successful EA needs in spades but simply stating “I think I’m really organised’ doesn’t paint any picture in my mind as to HOW they will be organised.

However, then Jenny started describing her list systems, how she’d taken herself off to do the advanced outlook course and had smashed its functionality which in turned helped her manage her bosses calendar and scheduling. She spoke about her own little rituals and ways that she stays on top of things – she was just so authentic. I was sitting there thinking ‘WOW! This is amazing, I need all of that!

Whilst Sue was nice and given she has the experience on paper there’s no doubt she could do the job but I just felt that Jenny sold herself better. She gave me the feeling that she’d really turn things around and make my work life easier. She was really good at describing how she runs her day. I didn’t even have to ask or dig for information, she was very forthcoming. I walked away feeling that it was an obvious choice to move forward with Jenny.

So there you have it.

One candidate opened up and SOLD themselves to the hiring manager, using descriptive answers and painting a clear picture of HOW they will take control of their day. The other definitely still answered his questions but only in words. She used short sentences that fell flat.

So now would you like to know the background on these candidates? Sue actually has 5 years more senior level EA experience than Jenny.

As you can see, experience isn’t the only thing a client assess when they are interviewing you. Don’t assume they know what you have done in each role simply because you’ve listed words on your CV. A piece of paper does not engage someone, personality does!
Therefore, don’t miss an opportunity to sell yourself in the interview. Give depth to your answers! Ensure you cover off the HOW and the WHY, not just the WHAT.

 

How do you put your best foot forward?

Posted on by Naomi Marshall

Finding a new job takes time and you need to put your best foot forward. Not just when interviewing with your potential new boss but from the moment you hit “send” on your email with your CV.

Here are our Sprint Tips for “Putting your Best Foot Forward” & landing the job:

First Impressions
Your CV is your first chance to not only make a good impression, but to make an impression at all. Recruiters will look at hundreds of CVs every week. You need to make sure your CV stands out for the right reasons; no spelling or grammar mistakes (PLEASE!!) and if you are including a cover letter, take the time to address it to the right person.

To make a good impression and to secure an interview, your CV needs to match the requirements of the job. If the job ad is asking for experience supporting a large team, make sure your CV highlights your experience supporting a large team. If you have no relevant experience, you will need to make sure your cover letter addresses why you are applying for the job.

Preparation
You have to prepare for every interview, even the initial interview with the recruiter. The amount of times a candidate has said to me “I wouldn’t wear this to the job interview” or “I wouldn’t do this in front of the client”…GUESS WHAT…If you don’t impress us and demonstrate you’ve got what it takes, we won’t be recommending our client meets you. We will assume how you act in front of us, is how you will behave in front of the client. The recruiter is just as important as the hiring manager and preparing to meet the recruiter should not be underestimated.

Prepare for every interview (with the recruiter, the hiring manager, HR or anyone else). Take the time to research the company, know the job description and know your own CV. If you know whom you are meeting with, research them and their experience on LinkedIn. It doesn’t have to be hugely time consuming, but it is easy for an interviewer to recognise those candidates who have taken the time to prepare versus those who have not.

The more you prepare, the more you emphasise your commitment to the role, your willingness to learn and your enthusiasm to get the job. That is the person the hiring manager wants in their team.

Presentation
Do we sound like a broken record about this? Good. Presentation is so so so important. You cannot put your best foot forward if you turn up to an interview (at any stage of the recruitment process) and you are not immaculately presented.

Neat and tidy hair, appropriate clothing for the job and company you are interviewing with. Make sure your shirt is ironed, your stockings don’t have ladders and you have appropriate footwear on. Keep your perfume to a minimum; you don’t want to leave a lingering scent of you in the room.

Presentation is in the detail so take time out before you go in for your interview to make sure you’re looking at your best.

Positivity
Stay positive. We understand it can be draining but don’t give up hope and stay positive. The right job is out there for you.

As a recruiter, when someone becomes ‘Negative Nancy’ about the recruitment process, it is obvious and it doesn’t bode well. We want to see the best of you, and when we recommend our client to meet you, we want them to see a sparkle in your eyes. So even if you are feeling a little drained, keep it at bay and remember that a positive attitude is the type of person that a hiring manager wants to bring into the team.

Badmouthing a previous employer or the recruitment process is not professional or endearing to a potential new manager. No matter what your experience has been in recent times (even the world’s worst boss); keep your interview positive and focus on your skills and what you will bring to the job you are interviewing for.

Follow Up
You nailed the interview! Great. But even after the interview, you still need to put your best foot forward and stand out from your competition. Follow up! Send a note, drop a brief email or even send a LinkedIn connection with a thank you. Let the recruiter know how much you want the job and don’t be afraid to let the hiring manager know too. That said, keep it brief and professional (and only if they gave you a business card) and don’t bring up anything new. Short and simple = Leaving a lasting impression.

Landing the dream job starts long before you meet your potential new manager. You need to do your homework and be putting your best foot forward from the moment you decide you want a new role.