TERVIEW TACTICS
Changing jobs is a big deal, And there are lots of things to consider when making the big move.
So, we thought we’d give you the benefit of our many years of experience to let you know how we think you should tackle some of those burning issues…
How do I write my CV?
Whichever way you look at it, the job of a Recruitment professional is essentially a sales job. And in recruitment, just like in sales, numbers talk. You must include details within your CV of the level of billings/revenue that you have achieved over the past few years (or past few jobs).
If you’ve been in a role that hasn’t necessarily required a financial target to be met or surpassed, then you may want to talk about some significant “wins” or just general achievements that you’ve enjoyed along the way. Some milestones.
You need to remember that your CV is a sales document, selling you! Admittedly, many people nowadays will say that a CV doesn’t really matter, but it’s still a document of achievement that some people still place an awful lot of importance on.
In addition to achievements and/or billings, your CV should be easy to read, and it doesn’t need to be “War & Peace”. Anything under three pages long is great.
A final point on this! LinkedIn is a marvellous tool, but it’s no substitute for a good CV!
How do I achieve my best performance in an interview?
There’s no secret formula to a successful interview, but there are some basic things that you can put in place that should ensure that the experience is a positive one, regardless of the outcome.
For example:
Do your research!
Knowing who you’re meeting and what the firm specialises in will just give you that little bit of extra confidence going into the meeting, as well as giving you peace of mind that you’re interviewing with a firm who you like the look of.
Allow plenty of time!
There’s nothing more distracting than knowing that you’ve run over your one-hour lunch break, and your Boss is currently standing beside your desk wondering where the hell you are!
Be fresh and alert!
Try to avoid having a big night out the night before, try and get a good night’s sleep, and clear your head of all other problems as you walk through that door!
Be yourself!
Bit of a cliché here, but it’s true! If you walk into an interview and try to be something that you’re not, chances are, you’ll trip over yourself. And if you try and pull the wool over a senior professional’s eyes, then chances are, you might get caught out. The best thing to do is just be yourself!
Know your facts and figures!
If you can’t state with confidence your billing history, how much you earned last qtr. or year, or how much your average placement is worth, etc., then this may raise alarm bells. So, know your numbers!
Know why you’re there!
Be prepared to sell yourself in line with what the actual job is. It’s pointless selling yourself as somebody that the Interviewer isn’t even looking to hire.
Ask some good, intelligent questions!
So many decent interviews fizzle out when the Interviewee fails to ask good, closing questions. A robust Q&A session at the end of an interview is the perfect way to round things off and leave a lasting impression on the Interviewer.
FRANK’S TIPS
How do I achieve my whole market worth?
Well, of course, part of our job is to advise you on what your market worth is realistically and what is unrealistic. If we feel that your salary requirements are out of sync with what the market is paying for somebody of your level of experience, and ability, we will tell you so. But how do we ensure we get your total market worth? We simply pitch you at the right and correct level, and discuss with the client upfront your expectations to ensure there are no surprises at the end of the process!
How and when do I resign?
How? Do it respectfully, graciously, and professionally. Hopefully, you’ll be resigning with nothing but happy and positive feelings towards your current employer. But if that’s not the case, then you should try and end things with as much dignity as you possibly can! Why? Well, firstly, you need a good reference! And secondly, regardless of what points you raise as you’re walking out the door, it’s doubtful that your parting pearls of wisdom will change anything for those you’ve left behind. So, best to keep things civilised and tidy!
Try and keep the cat in the bag.
It’s best to avoid talking about which firm you are going to join next, as you leave yourself open to an attack on the credibility of your new employer. Not everybody will deploy this tactic, but it’s pretty standard.
Don’t resign until you have the paperwork!
When? Our advice is that you shouldn’t resign until all your ducks are in a row and not until you’ve formally received your Offer Letter or Contract of Employment and you’re happy with everything. Of course, sometimes things need to move quickly, and typically, these things can be expedited, but our advice is: Sit tight till you’ve got the paperwork safely in your hands.
FRANK’S TIPS
What should I do if I get an attractive counter-offer?
Probably the best thing to do here is to follow your own advice (that you would give to your Candidates!) The reality here is that counter-offers generally don’t work for the long term. Yes, they Elastoplast things for a while, and everybody is happy again. But ultimately, the cracks start appearing again soon. So, by accepting a counter-offer, all you’re doing is delaying the inevitable anyway.
It’s like going back to an old Boyfriend or Girlfriend. Deep down, you know it won’t work, but you want to give them one last chance!
Do I really need to honour my restraint clause in my contract?
Yes, you do. Over the years, there have been many creative ways of getting around non-compete clauses. But at the end of the day, if you want to be respected as an “above the board” and ethical Recruiter, you should do the right thing by the contract you signed.
If you do decide to cut corners, then you’re probably not going to end up in Siberia smashing rocks and doing a hard time. But your reputation might be a little bit tarnished.