Recently while interviewing a candidate for a senior-level communications position at a Fortune 500 company, I was reminded of the golden rule when interviewing with recruiters. DO NOT bare your soul to a recruiter and expect he/she to be your best friend. When I asked the candidate how his subordinates would describe him, he replied, “I think they would probably say I’m a dick.” He was trying to be funny and if we were friends sharing war stories over a beer, it might have been. But that off-the-cuff remark cost him the job.
Don’t make the same mistake. Think of your interview with a recruiter as a dress rehearsal for the big show. It is your chance to perfect your 30 second elevator speech and convince us that you are the best candidate for the job.
Our role is to assess your qualifications and cultural fit as a candidate for searches we are conducting on behalf of our clients. We work for our clients, not the candidates. Everything you say and do impacts our decision to move you forward or not in the process.
Here are some “Do’s and Don’ts of Headhunter Etiquette” developed by The Repovich-Reynolds Group to ensure you do not commit any gaffes with the executive search community:
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DO |
DON’T |
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► Treat the recruiter like you would the client. |
► Bare your soul and expect the recruiter to be your best friend
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► Be punctual and courteous |
► Manipulate your background and experience to fit the opportunity
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► Give the recruiter your accurate compensation information
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► Be arrogant or pretentious. There is a fine line between self confidence and arrogance. |
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► Have an appropriate sense of humor. |
► Expect the interview to translate into a job offer. The search process is highly competitive.
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► Your homework
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► Ramble on when interviewing |
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► Stay in touch with a recruiter by email or phone. |
► Demean or badmouth your prior employers
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► Dress professionally
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► Give yourself all the credit. You are part of a team, acknowledge others. |
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► Present yourself in an honest, forthright manner. Speak with confidence.
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► Assume business casual is appropriate for an interview. I’ve seen good candidates eliminated because of how they dressed. |
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► Be specific about your contributions to an organization. |
► Forget your table manners
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► Present a clear and concise resume that emphasizes your accomplishments
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► Bombard recruiters with materials on your accomplishments unless they ask for it. |
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► Turn your cell phone off during interviews |
► Circumvent the recruiter and call the potential employer yourself.
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Send a thank you note following an interview. Email is acceptable. |
► Take rejection personally. Use it as a learning moment to make your next best career move.
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