Job seekers making simple mistakes

Job seekers making simple mistakes

Now that the effects of the global financial crisis are starting to wane, many companies are hiring again but candidates often make mistakes while seeking a new job that can seriously reduce their chances of success.

In the latest Robert Half podcast, director Andrew Brushfield says hiring is on the increase, not only in the financial service sector, but in industries including professional services, manufacturing and hospitality.

Employers are “finding that now is the right time to go back out to the market to finalise and secure the best talent available. Many of the candidates we’re seeing in the finance sector now have more strings to their bow, a deeper skill set and a great involvement in business” because they’ve had to take on more responsibilities during the global financial crisis.

But some job seekers are making simple mistakes that are hurting their chances when seeking a fresh position, says Brushfield. Common mistakes include making errors on your resume, failing to adequately sell your skills and experience, prematurely broaching the subject of salary and treating an interview as just a formality.

“We always advise potential candidates to take candidate interviews and client interviews very seriously. Make sure you prepare properly, know your resume and give yourself some time before you’re meeting the potential employer to make sure you completely remember all the skills that you’ve gained over time.”

Candidates also need to ensure the role they are applying for is appropriate for them and be careful to match their skills and background to what has been requested in any advertisement or job description. In addition, Brushfield describes the quality of any resume as being “massively important”.

“Some of the key mistakes we see are spelling mistakes, which are almost unforgiveable, and badly structured, badly formatted resumes. You need to make sure that your resume reflects your skills. And, finally, remember that it is a competitive scenario so you need to have something in your resume that will make you compare favourably to the competition.”

Another common mistake is to assume that the interview process, and especially the final interview, is just a formality, he says.

“The biggest fault or error that we see is for people to assume that, because you’ve got to the last round interview, you’ve got the job. Inevitably, when that happens something goes wrong in the last instance. Make sure that you maintain your professionalism and maintain your preparation and presentation the whole way through to the point that you get a contract.”

Other tips for candidates:
• Highlight why you are the best choice without appearing arrogant. Ensure the comments you make are in line with the skills and the requirements of the role, tie your achievements and skills into what the client is looking for (as laid out in the job description) and also into the overall direction of the company, which you have researched
• Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview which demonstrate a healthy degree of interest in the company and its direction, as well as in the role
• Do not bring up the topic of remuneration too early in the process. Generally you should follow the lead of the interviewer and have the discussion on salary when it comes up at their instigation
• Always follow up an interview with a handwritten thank you note or a polite email. Thank the interviewer(s) for their time and consideration and also, if you’re interested in the role, express your interest. But don’t overdo it by calling or emailing repeatedly
• It is natural to be nervous in a job interview. Do be careful not to talk too much or talk over the interviewer. An interview is a two-way conversation
• You will always get questioned about the environment that you’re in at the moment and your relationship with people you’ve worked with in the past. Always talk about these people with respect and professionalism
• If you have been laid off or made redundant, prepare an explanation as to why. You’re not on your own, it has happened to other people and it’s not necessarily a bad sign. Talk through it calmly then move on to the next question.

The Robert Half podcast on Common Job Seeking Mistakes is available for download at http://rhiwatch.viotv.com

ENDS

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