As you might imagine, some candidates and job seekers don’t do themselves any favors during the hiring process. They make mistakes that are very much avoidable, and those mistakes often eliminate them from serious consideration for better employment opportunities.
Of course, those candidates who possess the correct skills and experience and appear as though they will deliver the most value usually move to the top of the list. However, at a certain point, candidates can differentiate themselves and “break out from the pack.”
With that in mind, below are six ways to help make yourself the BEST candidate for the job:
- Submit a resume that is focused on accomplishments. Companies want to know more than just your skill set. They want to know what you’ve done with that skill set to become valuable to your past and current employers.
- Return calls in a timely fashion. You certainly can’t be considered a serious candidate, let alone the best one, if you’re not responsive. It doesn’t matter if it’s the company or a recruiter who contacts you, make sure that you return their calls as soon as you can. Time is crucial during the hiring process, so don’t waste it. It also shows that you are a professional.
- Make yourself readily available for interviewing. Yes, you’re employed and you have a work schedule to keep, but making yourself available for interviews indicates both flexibility and a high level of interest in the position. Many candidates take a vacation day to interview, if it means bringing them one step closer to a job they covet.
- Always be on time for appointments. This applies to anything that’s scheduled, including telephone interviews and face-to-face interviews. Being on time brands you as somebody who can be counted upon, an intangible and highly valuable trait.
- Fully discuss the situation with family members. Companies do not appreciate candidates who pull out of the process at the last second because their family is not in full agreement with the move, especially if that move involves relocation.
- Be willing (and ready) to immediately submit your resignation upon accepting an offer. Companies want candidates who are decisive, and that’s certainly the case in regards to working for them. Once you accept an offer, you should be prepared to submit your resignation and two weeks’ notice. If you’re not ready to leave your current employer, then you’re not ready to conduct a job search (passive or otherwise).
On the other hand, if you’re prepared to seek new employment and take advantage of a better opportunity, then follow the six steps listed above and stand out from the crowd. Differentiate yourself, brand yourself in a positive fashion, and grow your career!
We help support careers in one of two ways: 1. By helping to find the right opportunity when the time is right, and 2. By helping to recruit top talent for the critical needs of organizations. If this is something you would like to explore further, please send an email to stacy@thevetrecruiter.com.