What You Wish Every Applicant Knew That Would Make Them More Employable – from Joanne Sanders

Dear Clients and Colleagues:
I have been asked to present a workshop at an upcoming job fair at a local junior college.  The audience will be mostly 20-somethings seeking both part-time and full-time employment.  I am hoping you can help me out.   I need your input to make this a valuable workshop.  My goal is to include a cross section of hiring managers in the industries that represent our local job market (wine, healthcare, manufacturing, non-profits, government, retail and professional services).  Please answer the following question.  It won’t take long! Be specific to your industry. You can give me a quick list, if you’d like. Your name will not be used.  Please feel free to e-mail me your responses or post right here on the blog, or even call me directly (707-552-7800): What do you wish every applicant knew that would make them more “hireable”?   I’m looking for irksome, recurring mistakes applicants make that can be avoided.  For example, say you hire forklift drivers, your response might be:  I wish they’d bring their DMV printout and copy of the certification to the the interview.
Here is a start (from my perspective as a recruiter)
1. Resumes must be written to fit the job for which you are applying.  We can help edit but please don’t expect us to rewrite your resume to fit the posting
2.  An interview at BOLT Staffing with a recruiter is a real interview.  Dress professionally.  Write a follow up thank you note.

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5 thoughts on “What You Wish Every Applicant Knew That Would Make Them More Employable – from Joanne Sanders

  1. Networking us a critical skill. Never underestimate ‘six degrees of separation’ fir your job search, starting with family and friends.
    Hand-written thank you notes are still important in making a long-standing impression rather than a casual email.

  2. Remember that every aspect of you is being critiqued. Misspelled words on a resume for a position that requires attention to detail is a real negative.
    Email addresses that you might only share with your friends should not be given, (ie, pimp83@yahoo.com). Set up a separate account if you are that attached to an email address.
    We all love music, but an employer does not want to hear 2 minutes of your favorite song on your voice mail before they can leave a message – they don’t have the time.
    You know that you applied for a position, so be prepared to speak to the employer if they call. There is nothing worse than addressing a candidate and telling them the company you are representing and their response is “yeah, this is ___.” Respond professionally enthusiasm and start the conversation off on the right foot.
    I have seen jobs won and lost based on the little things. There are more, but hopefully this helps the discussion.

  3. Dress professionally and be well groomed. Neat hair style, proper amount of cologne or perfume. If anything, error on side of over-dressing.

  4. Recipe for a great interview:
    1. Write a brief cover letter outlining why you think OUR specific posted position fits your background. Brief is key, I don’t need your life story.
    2. Use a somewhat professional sounding email address to send/receive job information. JuicyJane@hotail is probably not going to be our next hire. Update your voice mail in the same fashion.
    3. Be flexible on interview availability. Be On Time! Know where you are going and how to get there, where you should park, where you should report and who you should ask for. If the person setting up the appointment doesn’t inform you of these items, ask.
    4. Dress professionally. Even if it’s for a back mail room or gardens position. No flip flops and/or headphones. Oh, and please check your mirror before exiting your vehicle. Anything in your teeth, nose, hair- sounds funny but lipstick on your teeth in an interview is distracting and uncomfortable for the person trying to interview you.
    5. Do not answer your phone. Turn it off, not on vibrate -OFF.
    6. Be polite to the person at the front desk.
    7. Think your answers through before blurting something out just to have a quick answer. I don’t mind a pause and neither should you.
    8. Research the company and thoroughly read the job description or given information before the interview. Know a little about what you are applying for.
    9.Interview us as much as we interview you. The fit has to work for both sides. No matter how desperate you are for a job, it has to be the right one.
    10. Most importanly, be yourself. You don’t want to fake your way into a job that you aren’t a good fit for.

  5. 1. Eye contact and a smile go a long way in life.
    2. Your phone’s recorded message says a lot about you. If you are applying for a professional position, your recorded greeting should reflect that.
    3. We show our respect for others by respecting their time. Arrive when scheduled, and call if you’ll be even a few minutes late.
    4. Professional dress is important.
    5. Attention to detail shows in things like spelling. A surprising number of applicants submit resumes with typos.

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