Archive for October, 2011

Reputation is a precursor to Performance

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
Reputation precedes everyone in this market, it can be seen as a precursor to performance. How you conduct yourself throughout the whole recruitment process is extremely important in setting yourself aside from the competition.Recruiters/ hiring companies are sensitive to anything that can prejudice your candidature as every hire is an important and risky one for certain executive jobs.

I see common mistakes from executives ranging from reviewing the application, to applying, to the relationship with the recruiter. Therefore I have compiled a list of some “Don’t”s to bear in mind:

1. Don’t waste your time as well as the recruiters applying for jobs that you’re not suitable for – it looks untargeted, sloppy and desperate.

2. Don’t wait until you finish your job to start job hunting, it shouldn’t work like this but recruiters feel you are more desirable and you can always use the counter offer for leverage. Of course this may be out of your hands so make sure you get a positive story out of any situation.

3. Don’t be economical with information or with circumstance – this can work against you and lose trust with your contacts. Be open about compensation at flexibility and this avoids wasting everyones time

4. Don’t send untailored applications or covering letters, this again looks sloppy and half-hearted and an untargeted application will not maximise your chances against the competition.

5. Don’t be vague on experience and achievements, be direct and offer tangibles – make the headhunters job easier to place you and again their not a career counsellor.

6. Don’t think the headhunter is a career advisor, far from it – headhunters work for their client not you and so make no assumptions that they are scouring the market for opportunities for you. We offer executive career consultancy so get in touch with us

7. Don’t abuse your digital footprint – assume everything written or tagged will be seen. This is not a hard and fast rule (I employed a pink fairy) but you want to limit prejudice and preconceptions.

8. Don’t pester the HR or search executive – gentle reminders every so often are important but constant updates will not make you a good candidate

Have a productive week…

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Sate Expectations

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

One of the main constituents of my job description, whether previously as a recruiter or currently as a career consultant, was managing expectations. It was essential to manage the client’s expectations on the delivery/ quality side or the expectations of the candidate/ jobseeker in terms of opportunity, timescales etc..

Never has it been so important to manage jobseekers expectations. Companies recruiting have the pick of the bunch with so many quality candidates still in the market (looking for greener grass or pastures new).

It is now the jobseeker that occupies my thoughts, not just because that is our prime focus as an executive career site but also because the conditions are still tough despite the improving picture, and looks like it could flip into reverse again.

It is important to manage your expectations when looking into

I never thought I’d ever write about this but a debate this morning on 5-live discussed the issue of rejection on X-factor. I don’t watch the programme however the concern was raised that public rejection could scar these contestants for life. That may be so, but unfortunately that is life – the ability of contestants to deal with rejection depends entirely on how their expectation of life has been managed by them and for the less experienced, the people around them.

Interviews are like auditions, there are many X-factors to consider. A good recruiter will try and address the ones under your control however there are many factors that simply aren’t. Luck plays some part, you can influence some of it however the personality mix between interviewer and interviewee, the blend of experience they’re looking for, the competition, etc etc are out of your control.

So if you’re not landing a job, don’t take rejection personally, it’s life. Concentrate on the things you can control – real hard work will pay off (as it does for most of the musicians who have a successful career), preparation, market research (using tools such as executive-i.com), opening up your business network (on LinkedIn) and picking up the phone.

Have a productive week…

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