Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like you’ve sabotaged your chances at landing that dream job. Related: 5 Hiring Process Myths You Need To Know Go ahead. Don’t be shy; we all get a little too eager at times. As a job seeker, the goal is to constantly be aware of your actions and how they can potentially be interpreted by a recruiter or hiring manager.
5 Things To Avoid During The Hiring Process
Here are five things to avoid sabotaging your chances of landing that dream job:Excessive Follow-Up/Reaching Out
There’s nothing wrong with following up with a recruiter once you’ve either had an exploratory conversation or an interview. However, if the recruiter has stated a specific time frame as to when he/she will be reaching back out with next steps, be sure to at least allow that time period to end before following up. There are a variety of steps within the recruitment life cycle and you never know what client calls the recruiter has to complete, prior to being able to provide you with clarification on whether or not your candidacy will be taken further.Reaching Out To A Client Directly
In some cases during the hiring process, you may be interacting mostly with a recruiter, as opposed to dealing directly with the hiring manager of a particular company. Occasionally, potential candidates will overstep the recruiter and attempt to contact the hiring manager directly. This tactic rarely bodes well for the candidate or the client. Clients contract or retain recruiters and search firms not only to locate top talent, but also to serve as an intermediary between themselves and potential candidates. Many companies enjoy a sense of anonymity during the initial phase of the recruitment process, due to various reasons including previously established business relationships, the sensitivity of open positions, and the lack of time and resources to execute the search internally. This is especially the case if the need for someone to play “bad cop” arises, as that responsibility typically falls on the recruiter to provide feedback from the client or merely inform the candidate of the requirements that he/she does not currently meet in order to be considered for the role. It is imperative to follow the formal recruitment process set forth by the recruiter, regardless of a personal relationship one may have with a client.Tip: If you know someone personally, either at the company or on the hiring team for an opportunity you’re exploring, simply mention that to the recruiter and ask if he/she can reach out to that person on your behalf.
