A Recruiter’s View – Do’s and Don’ts When Applying for a New Job
For every open position, hundreds tend to apply, while only 10 to 20 candidates end up on the shortlist of candidates that will be considered - depending the role. If you are considering an open position and want to apply, I hope these tips would be helpful to increase your chances to get an interview opportunity.
1. Read through the JD and requirements carefully.
In particular: The "must haves” are specific requirements that the hiring manager has invested a lot of time and thought into singling out. These typically include the applicant's education, background, experience, ability to speak certain languages or to be a resident of a certain country. If a candidate disregards the “must have” requirements, in my view, the reasons could be any of the following:
a) The candidate is desperate to get any job
b) The candidate failed to put effort to discern certain requirements before applying
c) The candidate wants to argue with the hiring manager before even knowing why the requirements are in place prior to getting the job.
2. Follow the instructions.
Normally, job postings give you clear directions on how to apply for the job or to get more information. This includes even simple but important things such as how to fill out certain forms, and where to find them.
Very often, we get applicants who disregard these simple instructions and instead send us an email asking for more information. Some just post a message, asking to ”Please consider my online profile.” There are a few reasons for this but in my understanding, the following are true:
a) The candidate is incapable of following simple instructions b) The candidate is not really motivated to pursue the job opportunity
c) He or she is asking for more information out of curiosity or for other reasons.
Unless you are a famous superstar level candidate, the recruiter most likely will not entertain you further if you are unwilling to read through the JD and answer a few questions. If you are interested in applying or finding out more, don’t balk at having to fill out an application. You should expect to fill one out. When doing so, keeping these points in mind will ensure that you get feedback on your response. Do fill out the application completely. You'll be providing your prospective employer with what they need. Being thorough will also demonstrate your attention to detail.
3. Do fill out the application accurately and honestly. You can frame unfavorable information in the most positive way possible, but be honest!
4. Do supply your current compensation if asked. The reason for this question is to ensure that you are within the range of the budget for the open position. Normally this information is treated as confidential by the recruiter.
5. Do provide sufficient contact information as required.
6. Be truthful and forthcoming with the recruiter. Recruiters know when a candidate tells the truth most of the time, and once he invests that time to assist you with the opportunity, being honest will increase your chances at getting the job. This is not the time to play poker. Once the recruiter believes you can add value to the company, he wants you to succeed and do well on the interviews, and ultimately get the job.
7. Ask the right questions. Once in communication with a recruiter, ask the right questions in order to get the right answers. Good questions are related to the company, products, and the organization, but don't be shy to make clear with a recruiter your compensation expectations. This will save everybody time further down the road.
8. Make the recruiter understand your value. From the moment you apply onward, each time you communicate with a recruiter you should arm yourself with real life examples on how you brought value to your employers in the past and how you think that you can bring the value to your new employer in the future. This should be in the view of the JD requirements. This is extremely important.
Remember that a recruiter can't hire you. He can only filter you out or recommend you to be considered for the role. Taking the time to give them everything he or she needs will move you through HR quicker than most of the other applicants.
In summary, to end up at an interview session, you should care enough to read through the JD and instructions and follow them. In order to save everybody's time, including your own, if you see that you lack the “must have” requirements, don't consider applying - instead, your time is best spent continuing to look for opportunities that would complement your career path. When communicating with the recruiter, be forthcoming and truthful, ask the right questions, and show them your value.
If you are considering an open position and want to apply, I hope these tips would be helpful in increasing your chances to get the interview opportunity. This will also certainly make the job of a recruiter and hiring manager much easier.
1. Read through the JD and requirements carefully.
In particular: The "must haves” are specific requirements that the hiring manager has invested a lot of time and thought into singling out. These typically include the applicant's education, background, experience, ability to speak certain languages or to be a resident of a certain country. If a candidate disregards the “must have” requirements, in my view, the reasons could be any of the following:
a) The candidate is desperate to get any job
b) The candidate failed to put effort to discern certain requirements before applying
c) The candidate wants to argue with the hiring manager before even knowing why the requirements are in place prior to getting the job.
2. Follow the instructions.
Normally, job postings give you clear directions on how to apply for the job or to get more information. This includes even simple but important things such as how to fill out certain forms, and where to find them.
Very often, we get applicants who disregard these simple instructions and instead send us an email asking for more information. Some just post a message, asking to ”Please consider my online profile.” There are a few reasons for this but in my understanding, the following are true:
a) The candidate is incapable of following simple instructions b) The candidate is not really motivated to pursue the job opportunity
c) He or she is asking for more information out of curiosity or for other reasons.
Unless you are a famous superstar level candidate, the recruiter most likely will not entertain you further if you are unwilling to read through the JD and answer a few questions. If you are interested in applying or finding out more, don’t balk at having to fill out an application. You should expect to fill one out. When doing so, keeping these points in mind will ensure that you get feedback on your response. Do fill out the application completely. You'll be providing your prospective employer with what they need. Being thorough will also demonstrate your attention to detail.
3. Do fill out the application accurately and honestly. You can frame unfavorable information in the most positive way possible, but be honest!
4. Do supply your current compensation if asked. The reason for this question is to ensure that you are within the range of the budget for the open position. Normally this information is treated as confidential by the recruiter.
5. Do provide sufficient contact information as required.
6. Be truthful and forthcoming with the recruiter. Recruiters know when a candidate tells the truth most of the time, and once he invests that time to assist you with the opportunity, being honest will increase your chances at getting the job. This is not the time to play poker. Once the recruiter believes you can add value to the company, he wants you to succeed and do well on the interviews, and ultimately get the job.
7. Ask the right questions. Once in communication with a recruiter, ask the right questions in order to get the right answers. Good questions are related to the company, products, and the organization, but don't be shy to make clear with a recruiter your compensation expectations. This will save everybody time further down the road.
8. Make the recruiter understand your value. From the moment you apply onward, each time you communicate with a recruiter you should arm yourself with real life examples on how you brought value to your employers in the past and how you think that you can bring the value to your new employer in the future. This should be in the view of the JD requirements. This is extremely important.
Remember that a recruiter can't hire you. He can only filter you out or recommend you to be considered for the role. Taking the time to give them everything he or she needs will move you through HR quicker than most of the other applicants.
In summary, to end up at an interview session, you should care enough to read through the JD and instructions and follow them. In order to save everybody's time, including your own, if you see that you lack the “must have” requirements, don't consider applying - instead, your time is best spent continuing to look for opportunities that would complement your career path. When communicating with the recruiter, be forthcoming and truthful, ask the right questions, and show them your value.
If you are considering an open position and want to apply, I hope these tips would be helpful in increasing your chances to get the interview opportunity. This will also certainly make the job of a recruiter and hiring manager much easier.