Whether you’re a job seeker or you’re scoping out a career path, a lot can be learned from the best recruitment consultants in the biz. As recruiters, it’s our job to slog through candidates and jobs until we spot the best match. We’re not exaggerating when we say we’ve seen it all.
If you think you’ve thought of a sure-fire way to stand out from the crowd, chances are, someone else has already done it. There’s no fooling a recruiter, but learning our secrets will help you gain an edge on your job search.
Dig deep and do your research
One of the first things we do when matching a candidate with a role is to check that their values, experience and work ethic match those of the prospective employer. Put your back into some solid research about the company; check out their website, social media accounts, and stalk them on LinkedIn. What can you gauge about their company values and culture? Now weave your findings into your CV and cover letter. If there’s a match in values and experience, your chances of being picked up out of the stack of CVs is raised.
Maintain your social media accounts
The best recruitment consultants check your LinkedIn page. And your Facebook. And your Instagram. If the CV in our hand doesn’t match the information we see on your socials, that’s an instant red flag for us. Keeping your social media accounts up to date is a crucial step in the job search process. It shows that you’re social media savvy, and proves to us that you’re being honest about the details on your CV.
Related: The top 5 habits of successful LinkedIn users
Don’t be a flake
Flaky candidates are our worst nightmare. Pulling out of an interview or changing your mind about a role last minute is understandably a massive turn off for a recruiter. Good communication skills and punctuality are examples of your soft skills. If we can see that your soft skills are lacking, we won’t be lenient. If you’ve committed to something, see it out. The worst that can happen is you’ll determine that the role isn’t for you, at which point you can communicate it to your recruiter and move on to the next step.
Show your worth
Employers love to see qualitative, measurable achievements on a CV. Percentages and dollar figures really stand out on a page, so pull out one or two examples from your past roles and sing them to the rooftops. Think about a time where you made a sizable impact on the organisation. Have you helped to increase productivity? Managed a sizable marketing budget? Reduced turnover? We love hard facts, so hit us with your best data.
Know who to schmooze
While a recruiter may be your main point of contact with your potential employer, it’s important to realise that we’re only there to connect the dots. We’re not going to make the final hiring decision — that’s a decision for the hiring manager or employer. Try not to focus entirely on your relationship with your recruiter. After an interview, it’s worth reaching out to the employer with an email to strengthen that relationship and prove that you’re serious about the role.
Still wondering what recruitment is all about? Find out how to use a recruitment agency in your job search.
Franklin Smith boasts some of the best recruitment consultants in the industry. They’re fortified with a wealth of hiring knowledge to assist you in your job search. If you’re looking for your next challenge, or simply want to chat about the current state of the market, reach out to us today.