My recruitment frustrations -Tips from an insider on how to apply for a job and how to conduct yourself at an interview.

My recruitment frustrations –Tips from an insider on how to apply for a job and how to conduct yourself at an interview.

Recruitment is an expensive process no matter what the industry. In fact, it’s probably hard to define its true tangible costs. Sure, you may place an ad and know what those costs are, but what about the time drafting an ad, defining the job description, screening all the applicants, making appointments, writing interview questions, participating in 1st and 2nd interviews, reference checking, through to sending “no” letters? For small business owners, this is an everyday reality. 

Searching the net, there are hundreds of articles relating to CV preparation and how to answer interview questions; but I still don’t believe the basics are covered. So from my recruitment experience, here are my insider tips.

How to apply for a job 
1. Take time and find out about the company you are applying for a job with. Google is your friend!
2. Address your letter of application with the recruiter’s name. If you don’t know it, find out. It will actually look like you care. Addressing a letter “Dear Sir” when I am female isn’t a good start. Particularly, when the ad says my name.
3. If you are applying via email –please consider your email address. Replying to Ilovebigbutts@hotmail or suxmyd@%k@hotmail or crazyslag@hotmail doesn’t inspire us in confidence.
4. If you are attaching a covering letter or CV to an email –please consider what these files are saved as. Seeing a covering letter or CV saved as “2nd option” or “hospitality last choice” isn't going to get you an interview.
5. Save the drawings and photos for something else.  A CV covered in pictures of flowers or photos of your dog doesn't scream maturity.
6. We are going to Facebook stalk you. So remember it is a public domain. Don’t tell us you are so interested in a job but post on Facebook “how you can’t wait to leave this town” or “how you applied for a crap job and hope you don’t get it”.
7. Don’t insult the recruiter.  Don’t ring them and tell them you are sick of waiting or you find the ad vague. You will be placed straight on the no pile.
8. Mums and Dads, we love you but please don’t come to the interview with your children. Let them be grownups. They are capable. 
9. You need to sell yourself. You need to tell us what you will bring to the organisation. You need to tell me why I might invest in you!  Don’t state in your application that you are now ready to learn new skills. Employers want staff that bring something to the table. We aren't interested in solely advancing your skills.

How to conduct yourself at an interview
1. Be on time. In fact be 5 minutes early. 1st impressions count.
2. Be aware that we watch you walk towards and away from the interview? Stand tall, be proud and don’t shuffle your shoes.
3. Make eye contact. This shows confidence that you are listening and paying attention.
4. Dress well. Wearing a tee-shirt to an interview is never right no matter what the job. Neither are jandles, caps, or beanies. A good rule of thumb is to come to an interview over-dressed rather than under-dressed.
5. Shave and groom.
6. Make up -Even wearing a little lip gloss and doing your eye lashes count.
7. Turn off the cell phone and certainly don’t answer it.
8. Spit out the gum before coming into the building.
9. Make sure you know about the business and the job. Please don’t waste our time applying for a job you really don’t want. 
10.This is my very favourite one – don’t criticise the business or point out its faults and how you might fix it. Seriously, that’s not the question we asked.