Job Help

Four Don'ts When Dealing With Recruiters By Erin Hovanec HotJobs.com

What's the first step to getting a job interview? Getting past the recruiter.

Recruiters are usually your first contact with a potential employer. And they often decide whether your resume lands on the hiring manager's desk or in a far-off filing cabinet.

While it's important to know the basics of what recruiters do, you also need to know what they DON'T do. After all, you don't want an inappropriate request to ruin your chances for an interview.

Here are four things you shouldn't ask of a recruiter.

Don't Be Overly Friendly

The recruiter is not your friend.

Sure, recruiters are usually warm, friendly and helpful. After all, it's their job to put you at ease and guide you through the hiring process. But they're professional colleagues, and it's crucial that you never forget it.

Think of the recruiter as a respected coworker and treat them accordingly. Be friendly, but not overly casual or familiar. It's wise to keep personal conversations, jokes and physical contact to a minimum.

After a tough interview with a hiring manager, you may be relived to see a recruiter's smiling face. Don't be tempted to let your guard down though; you're still "on," even if the interview has ended.

A useful rule of thumb: Don't say or do anything in front of a recruiter that you wouldn't say or do in front of your boss (or your mother).

Don't Expect Career Coaching

The recruiter's goal is not to help you get a job. It's to help you navigate the hiring process at one specific company.

Recruiters aren't career coaches. It's not appropriate to ask them to help you craft your cover letter, edit your resume or plan your career path.

You can ask questions about the company or industry in general, but try to relate your questions to the job you're being considered for. And save your best, most thoughtful questions for the hiring manager -- that's who you need to impress most.

Don't Ask for Insider Information

There's only one job candidate you really need to worry about: You.

Though it may be hard to resist, don't ask about who you're up against for a job. Recruiters generally won't share information about other candidates. And asking for specific details about the competition makes you look insecure in your own skills.

However, questions about the hiring process or the position itself are fair game. Here are a few questions you can feel comfortable asking:

Are you still interviewing candidates?

How large is the current pool of candidates?

How would you describe the ideal candidate for the job?

Is there anything I can do to make myself a stronger candidate?

The best way to get an edge on the competition? Make yourself a more competitive candidate.

Don't Request Special Treatment

Although you may wish you were, you're probably not the only candidate for the job.

And, while recruiters are often happy to help, their aim is not to be your advocate to the hiring manager. Their aim is to fill a position.

Never ask a recruiter to put in a good word for you with the hiring manager. If they think you're a strong candidate, they'll probably sing your praises anyway.

Also, don't ask them to relay a message to the hiring manager for you. Instead of saying, "Tell So-and-So it was very nice to meet him ...," send a thank you note.

Taking the initiative and speaking for yourself shows the hiring manager that you're capable, confident and conscientious.

Remember, if you treat the recruiter well, chances are they'll treat you the same way.

Worst-Case Scenario Survival Tactics for Job Seekers By Christopher Jones HotJobs.com

I spend a fair amount of time explaining how to achieve a best-case scenario. But what's a job seeker to do if she suddenly finds herself late for an interview? Or stumped by an interview question?

Certainly all those tips about how to prevent disasters are useless when you're in the thick of one. So in this article I'll tackle worst-case scenario survival tactics for job seekers.

I'm Going to Be Late for the Interview!

No matter how much you prepare, destiny still occasionally throws you a wild card.

Your car breaks down ... you get splashed by a bus ... your alarm fails to go off ... you're going to miss your job interview!

Take a deep breath. Collect your thoughts. You're about to place a very important phone call. The recruiter will want to know why you are running late and a realistic estimate of how long it will take you to (safely) get to the interview. The recruiter will also be looking for a courteous apology.

The call might sound like this:

"Hi Mel. This is Chris Jones. I have an 11 a.m. interview today for the editor position. Unfortunately, my car has broken down. I should be able to get there in 25 minutes if that's OK. I apologize for the inconvenience and I wanted to inform you as soon as possible."

Recruiters tend to be more accepting of incidents that fall under the "couldn't be avoided" category. If you live in New York like I do, traffic and bus drivers who speed up when they see mud puddles fall into this category.

Keep in mind that the recruiter is under no requirement to delay or reschedule the interview, but if you are polite and courteous, odds are you'll get a second chance.

I Don't Know How to Answer the Question!

If you get caught off guard by an interview question ... stall.

How you stall is the key. Saying, "That's a really good question," in a slow, measured tone is much more effective than, "Ummm. Let's see. Huh. That's a stumper!"

Don't make time for yourself by asking if you can "take a minute" or by coming up with a witty, tongue-in-cheek answer. This is not Hollywood Squares.

If you need more time, politely ask the interviewer to clarify a portion of the question. This is a very effective strategy, because often the interview questions that stop job seekers in their tracks are too vague to be approached logically. Asking for clarification can make a molehill out of a mountain.

I Forgot to Bring Copies of My Resume!

According to a recruiter colleague of mine, this happens far more often than you might think.

The key is to acknowledge it upfront and give a practical excuse -- one that avoids the perception of laziness or lack of forethought.

"I just wanted to let you know that I planned ahead to bring copies of my resume, but my printer didn't cooperate. It broke down on me. I can e-mail you a copy after the interview if that's OK."

And it should be OK. Chances are the recruiter will have a copy of your resume on hand. (Make sure you get e-mail addresses for all the interviewers who asked for a copy of your resume.)

I Called the Recruiter by the Wrong Name!

The average job seeker will meet anywhere from three to a dozen people during a job interview. Chances are that at some point he or she will call someone by the wrong name -- sometimes repeatedly.

If you find yourself in this situation, address it and move on.

"Amy, I'm sorry. I've met so many great people today, and I'm trying to put names with all the faces. Amy, I apologize."

Working the person's name into the apology will help keep you from making the mistake again.

Now, get back to the interview, phone screen or whatever matter was at hand.

Similarly, if recruiters call you by the wrong name -- which I've found to be far more common -- simply correct them after they've completed their sentence and move on.

Mistakes during the job search are like mistakes in business. They should be addressed -- not dwelled on.

Career Fairs: Tips to Fare Well By Erin Hovanec HotJobs.com

A career fair can make your job search much easier. It gives you the opportunity to meet recruiters from dozens of companies -- all in one place over only a few hours.

But career fairs have their own special set of challenges. Impressing all those recruiters from all those companies requires a lot of preparation, practice, skill and stamina.

Simply put, a career fair is a lot like a job interview -- multiplied many times over.

Read on to learn how you can plan a strategy to survive, and even shine, at career fairs.

Do Your Homework, Plan Your Attack

What you do BEFORE a career fair can be just as important as what you do when you get there. So what should you do? Your homework.

Most career fairs publicize a list of companies, along with their industries, that will be attending the fair.

Review this list and highlight the companies that interest you. Then, make a list of companies you want to speak with in order of importance. You want to make sure you speak with your top choices first in case you run out of time.

Research each company you plan to approach. Write down some key points about each, and bring them with you. If you have your research handy, you can refer to it to refresh your memory. Take a quick look at its key facts before you approach a company's booth at the fair.

Practice ... And Practice Again

You're at a career fair. You walk up to a recruiter, smile and say ...

"Ummmm .... Hi ... How are ya? ..."

That's probably not the polished, confident approach that'll get you a job.

The first 10 seconds are often the most important. So you need to make a strong first impression.

Prepare your introduction in advance. Practice how you'll greet a recruiter (complete with smile and handshake) in front of a mirror at home. You should also prepare a 60-second summary that explains your basic skills and experience along with what type of job you're seeking.

Practice both your introduction and your summary until you no longer sound rehearsed, but natural. It's even a good idea to try them out on a friend.

Wear Your Ambition on Your Sleeve

If you're confused about what to wear to a career fair, don't be. The answer is easy: A suit.

You should dress just as professionally for a career fair as you would for an interview at a company. That means wearing a suit in a basic color, like black or navy, and conservative shoes. Men should wear a tie; women should wear stockings.

It's also a good idea to call the venue holding the fair and ask if they have a coatroom. You don't want to have to lug around a heavy winter coat or wet raincoat unexpectedly.

Not only do you want to look professional, but you'll need your hands free for all that recruiter handshaking. So If the venue doesn't offer a place to store your belongings, bring only what you absolutely need. Leave large tote bags, shopping bags and lunch bags at home.

Resumes: Don't Leave Home Without 'Em

Have many resumes should you bring to a career fair?

Ten? Fifty? One hundred ...?

Well, that depends on how big the fair is and how many companies there interest you. But follow this rule of thumb: Bring many more resumes than you think you'll need. You don't want to find yourself halfway through the career fair and realize that you've run out.

If you have more than one version of your resume (say, one version for sales jobs and another for marketing jobs), bring copies of both. After talking with the recruiter, you can decide which resume is most appropriate.

Networking: Where to Cast Your Net By Erin Hovanec HotJobs.com

One of the most effective ways to find a job: Network.

Spread the word that you're looking for a new job. First, tell your family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances ... everyone. Even tell your mail carrier and your hair stylist. (But don't tell anyone at your current job.)

When it comes to networking though, there's more to consider than simply who you know.

You have to think about who you DON'T know. And then find a way to get to know those people.

Once you've exhausted your personal connections, it's time to focus on meeting some new faces.

Here are some tips on where to start building a network.

Get 'Organized'

The American Association of Zoo Keepers, the National Association of Truck Stop Operators, the American Nuclear Society ...

No matter what your occupation, there's a professional organization for you!

National and international professional associations often have local chapters where you can meet other professionals in your field. And most hold conferences and other events designed specifically for networking.

Professional organizations can also help you keep up-to-date on the latest developments in your industry. They often provide members with the latest industry news, trends and research as well as training and education. This information can come in very handy in interviews.

Not sure what organization would be right for you? This list, organized by topic, can help you get started.

Hit the Books

Looking for regular contact with a group of like-minded professionals in your industry?

Take a class.

From art design to advertising to auto repair, you should be able to find a class in your area that's relevant to your career. And you're guaranteed to meet a group of people who are also interested in your industry.

As an added bonus, a class can give you new skills to boost your resume and make you even more attractive to employers.

Revisit Your Past

Wish you could find a ready-made network, just waiting for you to join? You can: Your alumni association.

Most colleges and even many high schools have alumni organizations made up of former graduates. These organizations usually contain people in every occupation and industry imaginable.

If your former school has an alumni group, get involved.

Take advantage of the fact that you have something in common with the other alums. Remember: It's always easier to meet new people when you share an experience.

Give Something to Get Something

Sure, volunteer work lets you help others. But it also lets you help yourself -- and your job search.

Consider doing volunteer work to expand your network. You'll likely meet an entirely new group of people.

Choose an organization that's related to your profession, if possible. If you can't find a relevant company or cause, offer to help out your favorite charity by doing something that's job-related. Organizations can always use an extra set of hands to help with everything from computer work to clerical tasks.

By volunteering, you'll get a chance to use your skills, expand your network and make a much-needed contribution.