Wonder what’s going through the mind of a recruiter when they’re checking out your resume? How about the hiring manager as you’re completing the initial phone screen? During this webinar, we’ll take a look behind-the-scenes at some things these individuals won’t tell you during your job search.

1. Things Recruiters & Hiring Managers
Won’t Tell You
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3. Introduction
• Wonder what’s going through the mind of a
recruiter when they’re checking out your
resume?
• How about the hiring manager as you’re
completing the initial phone screen?
• Here’s a look behind-the-scenes at some things
these individuals won’t tell you during your job
search
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4. You’re Judged Before the Phone Interview
• Your initial impression upon a recruiter or hiring
manager is vital to landing an interview
– What are you being evaluated on?
• Email address (is it appropriate?)
• Overall online presence (any red flags?)
• Social networking profiles (the new resume)
• Resume
• Cover letter
• Communication skills
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5. An Actual Person May Not See Your Resume
• Many recruiters & hiring managers rely on their
applicant tracking system (ATS) to sort qualified
resumes with keywords
– Comb through the job description to find keywords that
should appear in your resume
– If it doesn’t have the proper keywords, it won’t make it into
their hands
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6. It’s All About Connections
“If you’re trying to get a job at a specific
company, often the best thing to do is to avoid
HR entirely. Find someone at the company you
know, or go straight to the hiring manager.”
Shauna Moerke, HR Administrator & hrminion.com blogger
– Often, the best way to land a new job know someone at
the company who can submit your resume or put in a good
word for you
– No matter how good your job search documents and
qualifications are, it might be the person with the right
connections that ultimately gets the job!
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7. Research is Essential
• Heading into an interview without a clear idea of
what the company does will ensure you don’t
get the job
– Perform a thorough Google search on the company &
hiring manager to formulate thoughtful questions to ask
• Asking “What does your company do?” is not
acceptable during an interview!
– Check out the company online newsroom, blog, Facebook
page, Twitter profile, and LinkedIn company profile for
additional information
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8. Research is Essential
• You need to know how to pronounce the hiring
manager’s name at an interview
– Again, Google is your friend
– Look to the company website, social networking profiles,
etc.
– If the name is difficult, try calling the receptionist or front
desk to inquire before the interview
• Another tactic: Call after hours and listen to the phone
directory
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9. Your Appearance Affects Your Opportunity
• How you look when you come in for an
interview is the initial face-to-face impression
the individual will get of you
• Pay close attention to the following:
– Outfit (Is it appropriate? Professional? Does it fit well?)
– Hairstyle
– Jewelry/Accessories
– Makeup
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10. Persistence May Not Pay Off
• Calling or emailing multiple times per week is
not okay
– Checking in about 3 times total is ideal and confirms that
you’re interested
– Contacting the hiring manager too much can get you
written off as “annoying” – not something you want in your
job search!
• I always recommend checking in once per week
for 3 weeks
– If you don’t hear anything back after that, it’s time to move
on
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11. Be Likeable
• Although this may sound like common sense,
many job seekers don’t get it
– A hiring manager ultimately hires someone who will fit well
in the company culture
• Someone they can get along with
• Someone they see a bit of themselves in
• Someone they like
• Simply being polite, nice & passionate about
what you do & the organization itself can get
you far
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12. Be Nice to Everyone
• Throughout the hiring process, it’s not just the
hiring manager or recruiter you’ll be dealing
with
– You’ll also interact with receptionists, employees & other
workers at the company
– Treat them as you would the CEO of the company
– If you don’t, it will get back to the hiring manager & could
hurt your chances for a new job
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13. Your Resume Doesn’t Have to Be One Page
• Don’t write your resume in 6 point font to make
it conform to one page
– It can be 2 pages, maybe even 3, depending on your
experience and skills
– It still should be tailored to the company & position
– DO NOT include anything that does not pertain directly to
the opportunity at hand
– HOWEVER: If you are an entry-level professional, do keep
your resume to 1 page
– For more tips, see “How to Focus Your Job Search Efforts
& Land Your Ideal Job in 2011”
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14. Gaps in Your Resume Can Hurt You
“Once you’re unemployed more than six
months, you’re considered pretty much
unemployable.”
Cynthia Shapiro, a former HR executive & author
– Gaps in your resume raise red flags for employers
• Is it because others thought you were unemployable?
• Were you fired?
– Always attempt to fill gaps between jobs with volunteer
positions, additional education, and other opportunities
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15. Your Cover Letter Might Not Be Read
“People assume someone’s reading their cover
letter. I haven’t read one in 11 years.”
HR director at a financial services firm
– Although I always read candidate’s cover letters, not every
hiring manager does
– Networking, branding yourself, and having a positive
online presence could get your foot in the door at
companies like these
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16. Say Thank You – But Not Too Soon
• Sending a handwritten thank you note after an
interview is considered polite & helps you stand
out among other candidates
– Hiring managers say sending a handwritten note the next
day may be too early
• Instead, wait a few days to a week
• They’ve likely interviewed other candidates during
those few days & your thank you will be a nice
reminder of how great you were
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17. Forgetting Common Courtesy Can Cost You
• Turn off your phone during an interview
• Let the hiring manager talk – even if they go on
and on about a subject
• Don’t talk badly about former employers
• Hiring managers and recruiters are busy
– Canceling an interview at the last minute or missing their
phone calls is not something you should do while job
seeking
• Don’t badmouth the company you’re applying at
on your social networking profiles
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18. Watch What You Say During an Interview
• Sharing too much personal information can
cost you the job
“I once had a hiring manager who refused to
hire someone because the job required her to
be on call one weekend a month and she had
talked about how much she goes to church.”
HR professional at a midsize firm in NC
• Avoid the following topics:
• Religion • Marital/family status
• Political views • Disability
• Age • National origin
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20. Thank you!
For more tips: blog.cachinko.com
Join us for our next job seeker webinar on:
April 11, 2011: Steps to Branding Yourself &
Taking Control of Your Career
Contact Heather at heather@comerecommended.com