How to Be a Stellar Candidate….

“Cool! See ya then.”

No this wasn’t a gchat response from one of my good friends, it was an email confirmation I recently got from one of my candidates at work. The sad thing is that Informal responses like this, are actually common in the hiring process. In the time I’ve worked in Staffing, here are some techniques I’ve learned that can significantly boost your chances of  being a winning candidate:

• Convert your resume to a PDF. Thank god I have a best friend in Graphic Design, who appreciates the importance of aesthetics, and made me promise I’d never ever send my resume in any form but a pdf. Unless the company specifically requests a text or doc form of your resume, assume they want a pdf version. Trust me, I open them all day and there is nothing more frustrating than a resume that is difficult to read, and prints out in 5 pages instead of 1.
• Respond Formally to everything: I don’t care if the Recruiter is your best friend, or if you are driving (put down the phone!) and have 2 seconds to respond to the email. Assume that every email and conversation you have is recorded and be as formal as possible. Have 5 seconds? Write, “Thank you very much for setting up the interview. I look forward to meeting you and __. Please let me know if there’s any information I can provide you.”
• Nothing Beats an Inside Referral: Sure you might have graduated from Harvard with a 4.0 in Computer Science, have been President of your Class, started your own company and discovered a math formula. Unfortunately, there may be hundreds of other people just as successful as you applying for the same position. This is where the power of networking comes in- knowing someone that works in the company, and can refer you directly, can put you at the very top of the stack. When applying for jobs, sit down and think hard about everyone you know that works at the companies you’d like to work for. Update your linkedIN profile, and connect with people you have worked with, attended school with or met at networking events(even if you don’t know them extremely well). Instead of applying with the other thousands of people to a job on the company’s site, reach out to the acquaintance directly and have them submit you.
• Reach out to the recruiter/hiring manager if you have any questions: You get a phone call or email saying you have an interview set up for next Tuesday at 11. But how many people, and whom will you meet with? Will lunch be provided? Will you be giving a presentation or completing any tests? These are all important questions, that it is perfectly acceptable to inquire about before your interview. Knowing what to expect can lessen your nerves and really improve your performance at the interview.
• Let the recruiter/hiring managers know if you are interested in another position (should one open): Just because you aren’t the right person for one position, doesn’t mean you aren’t the right person for another. Make sure to thank the interviewers and hiring managers even if your interview does not go well, so you are on good terms. Let them know (if you are) that you are open to another department or position within the company.I’ve seen this several times with candidates I work with, and have also had this happen myself where you don’t get the position you applied for, but are hired for another.
• Unless there is an emergency, do not reschedule or cancel: It takes a lot longer than expected to set up interview(s) for candidates. It requires busy executives and employees moving around their schedules and meetings to accommodate the candidate. I’m surprised how many candidates I get requesting to be moved an hour or two back, come in a day earlier, or sometimes don’t even show up. When an interview is scheduled, see it as non-negotiable and do whatever it takes to get there. Rescheduling to even a day later can ruin your chances of getting hired, as they may have found someone for the position already.

The hiring process can be stressful, but with the right attitude, it doesn’t have to be.  Be on your A-game and show them the amazing person that you are, and if it’s meant to be, it will happen.

Tags: advice, candidate, hired, hiring, interview, jobs, recruiting