The competition for jobs is very tough in today’s economy and the hiring process can be discouraging as well as challenging for applicants and hiring officials. To complicate the hiring process, websites and online applicants can get lost in the piles of resumes submitted for job opportunities. Human Resources professionals and hiring managers have to delve through the resumes quickly and often the best candidate may lose out on the opportunity because of very simple mistakes.
We often receive calls from candidates who do not understand why they were not considered for a job they expressed interest in or submitted a resume for. As a recruiter, and I am certain many HR professionals will agree, we see and hear all sorts of things when it comes to candidates applying for positions. In this tight job market, applicants are disregarded right away because of the simple mistakes they make in the job search process
For example, today we received an email from a candidate who was very interested in a great opportunity we had advertised on our website. When we attempted to contact this senior level technician, his cellphone was “not set up to receive calls.” Another example is when we attempted to leave a voicemail message for another terrific candidate, he did not have his voicemail set up. Both of these are good examples of ruling out a candidate quickly! So if you are looking for a job, it would be smart to accept incoming calls or at least have your voicemail set up so hiring authorities, recruiters and HR professionals are able to reach you.
It is a good idea to ensure your voicemail message reflects professionalism on both cell and home phones. Replace any funny voicemail messages with a message that reflects you as a professional. Be sure to respond to messages as soon as possible. We have dealt with unemployed candidates who took a week to reply to email and voicemail messages. If you are serious about getting a job your response should not take longer than a day to respond.
Writing and submitting a resume is just the beginning of the job search, and it is the “first impression” that hiring officials have of the applicant. It is very important that the resume conveys that the candidate is qualified and competent.
Ensure your resume is up-to-date and error free. Honestly assess your background and be prepared with explanations for any weak points. Be sure to present your background in a thorough and accurate manner, highlighting a few specific accomplishments in your prior positions. Review your career achievements and relate your major strengths and accomplishments as they relate to the job you are applying for. Know how your experiences, training, education and skills can be applied and valuable in the position being offered.
We are seeing more and more resumes that do not include complete contact details (street address, city, state, telephone and email). Sometimes the resume templates found on the Internet are not the best to use when it ignores this important detail. This simple mistake makes candidates appear unprofessional. You might also want to change your email address if it is “unprofessional.”
If the resume is well written and the qualifications are a match, the next “first impression” will be a telephone interview. To ensure the telephone interview goes well, find a quiet room and do not allow interruptions. Remain 100 percent focused on the interview. If you are asked to do a Skype interview, be sure to practice the setup and the call with a family member or friend ahead of time. For a Skype interview, we highly recommend a very professional appearance.
When speaking with clients, one of the main reasons they do not consider an applicant after an interview is because the candidate was unable to “sell” their skills and qualifications to the hiring authority.
Preparation is a big part of the interview process. Research the company and learn as much as possible about the company as well as the position requirements to ensure the position and the company are a good fit for you. If necessary, prepare a few specific questions for clarification during the interview. Go to the company’s website and get to know their products and services as well as their goals and mission statement. Be prepared to tell the hiring authority why their company is attractive to you. The interviewer will be impressed that you took the time to research their company, and that knowledge will indicate that you are a serious and informed candidate.
Be enthusiastic about the job itself, your career, and the prospective company. Employers look for people who love what they do, and those who get excited about the job.
When you speak with potential employers, always remain positive and never bad mouth former employers, companies or peers. Biomed is a very small industry and the person you speak negatively about might be a part of the hiring decision.
Express confidence and competency that you can do the job. The interviewers are trying to see how you can contribute to the company. Sell yourself but do not brag, and don’t talk so much that you talk yourself out of the job. You must present a professional and upbeat attitude to the prospective employer.
Communication skills are extremely important. Your ability to formulate and respond to questions can mean the difference in making it to the next step of the interview process. Listening skills also demonstrate the manner in which you follow instructions. Never interrupt the interviewer, even though you may have a response ready. Clarifying the question exhibits good listening and communication skills.
Answer questions as directly as possible. Prepare for tough questions that may be asked, then develop answers to those questions that accurately portray your experiences and views. Support your answers with specific examples.
The most critical part of the hiring process is the face-to-face interview, so you don’t want to be ruled out early in the process. If you do not make a positive impression early, you will not make it to a face-to-face interview.
Once you make it to a face-to-face interview, you must continue to be prepared and professional. It is up to you to convey reliability, enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, confidence, and communication skills during your interview.
Competition is at an all-time high and you must standout to survive the resume screening process to get to an interview. Do not overlook the simple things, and remember that preparation is the key to ensure that you don’t lose out on an opportunity because of simple mistakes.
