I.T. Professional Recruiting in Dayton, Cincinnati and Nationwide!

Enterprise Search Associates LLC is an Ohio-based professional search and recruiting firm specializing in the placement of Information Technology (IT) professionals.

5 Reasons why you didn’t make the cut

5 Reasons why you didn’t make the cut by Jorg Stegemann.

Even though we work hard at preparing candidates for an interview as to what to expect, there are times when it just does not go well.  I recently found an article by Jorg Stegemann, an international headhunter who focuses on Europe, in Personal Finance that summarizes pretty well some of the key reasons why a candidate, though fully qualified technically, does not get invited to the next round.  It’s below and is worth the read.

1. Flunked first impression. During the first 30 seconds people size you up based on everything from your outfit, handshake and eye-contact to the timbre of your voice. Be dynamic, positive and most importantly authentic. Make sure you carry a pen and notebook, just as you would to any other important business meeting. (For other tips, see “How To Make A Lasting Impression.”)

2. No questions asked. The candidate’s questions can make or break an interview. Perceptive questions ferret out information you need to decide if you want the job. They can also position you as the right person for it. Not asking questions suggests you’re not really interested in the job, or have no commitment, motivation or potential.

3. Questions out of sync. The goal of the first interview is to get you a callback – not to get you the job. So any questions you ask should be designed to help you understand the job, its challenges, measures of success and potential pitfalls. It’s perfectly legitimate to ask, “Why is the position open?” “How will you measure the success of the new person on board after six months?” “What are the strengths and weaknesses of the department? What does it take to be successful here?” Save discussions of salary and benefits for later.

4. Lack of preparation. Most candidates I meet haven’t adequately prepared for the interview. Before you meet, read everything you can find about the company on the Internet, including its fact sheet, newspaper and magazine articles and the LinkedIn profile of the person with whom you will be meeting. Making this effort can help you prepare knowledgeable questions that demonstrate your interest in working at the company and react intelligently to what you hear at the interview.

5. Awkward exit. The typical interview lasts an hour. It’s been a success if you have established that your skills match the job responsibilities and that you will fit into the company’s culture. At the end of it, the interviewer will ask whether you have any other questions. This is your cue to wrap up.

If you want the job, close the interview by saying something like, “Thanks, John. I wanted to know more about the job and your expectations but also about your company and your market. What I heard confirms that we have many things in common and I firmly believe that my experience and skills A, B and C could be a valuable asset in facing your challenges.”

Drive the interview as you would drive an important project. You can prove you know what it takes to bring it to a successful conclusion with one last question: “What’s the next step?”

Click here to view article —->  http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2013/10/14/job-hunting-dilemma-5-reasons-why-you-didnt-make-the-cut/

Comments are closed.