Shh… What not to say and what to emphasise when talking to a recruiter?
Have you received a LinkedIn message or even several in the last year inviting you to talk about career opportunities or to attend a recruitment event? Don’t be surprised – the labour market is recovering. 9 out of 10 employers surveyed intend to hire new staff, according to the 60th ManpowerGroup International Employer Survey. Recruiters are working hard to fill vacant positions with new talent. That’s why we’re sharing tips on how to have a better job interview and what not to say to recruiters.
Remember, this is a job interview
The specific nature of the work of the screening specialists is very much related to creating a comfortable atmosphere during the interview. Cosiness is important for a candidate to open up and reveal his or her personality. But too much relaxation can get in the way.
“Remember that the questions you ask are not just a simple chatter. This is the information that will later become your profile. Although the recruiter is not the final decision-maker, a lot depends on him/her. In the recruitment process, he is the primary “filter” that decides whether he will introduce and recommend you to the client”
– Dovilė Urbakonienė, HR Expert at Manpower
“I’m fine, I have no questions”, really?
Be prepared to be given the opportunity to express your expectations and ask questions during the job interview. According to Ms Urbakonienė, it’s not just an opportunity for you to learn more about the position.
“Your questions and interest can help the recruiter better understand what is important to you. Sometimes jobseekers who have been actively looking for work for a long time get tired. A loss of enthusiasm can even make you tempted to accept any job offer. But is everything really right for you? Find out more, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s not just the recruiter who is looking for a passionate candidate – you also have to fulfil yourself”.
– Dovilė Urbakonienė, HR Expert at Manpower
“My last job was tragic”
Talking for an hour can be very rich and very frank. Sometimes even too openly, especially about a former workplace. But whatever the relationship in your past or present job, keep it to yourself.
“You are likely to be asked why you are looking for or changing jobs. The purpose of a recruiter is not to find out the juicy, intriguing story of how you got into a fight with a colleague at the coffee machine. Respect for your employer shows that you can be trusted. Ethicality in job interviews is another very important element that makes a strong case for why you should be presented to a client.”
– Dovilė Urbakonienė, HR Expert at Manpower
Are you involved in several selections? Don’t hide it
If you are asked about other selections during the interview, be open. This information is certainly not to remove you from the list of candidates. Exactly, it is important to know if you are a “burning” candidate.
“I always ask this during the interview, as it helps me to assess several aspects: the candidate’s motivation for a career change, what positions they are interested in and where they are in their decision-making process. For me, this is a signal to ensure quick decision-making on the client side, because unfortunately there is a real talent hunt going on among all employers at the moment. A frank conversation with the candidate and timely feedback ensures a good experience for the candidate and the opportunity to choose the best offer.”
– Dovilė Urbakonienė, HR Expert at Manpower
She also encourages you to tell the recruiter when you hear more about a position and realise it’s not for you: ‘Don’t hide this information. The screening officer should ensure that both sides are heard and receive a response;
