Deal Breakers for Landing a New Job

Deal breakers for landing a new job   What can be deal breakers for landing a new job? What do employers expect from candidates and vice versa? A new study from CareerBuilder answers these questions and more, providing unique insights for both job candidates and the employers who want to hire them. The survey, which included 5,518 job seekers and 2,775 hiring managers, was conducted within the U.S. and Canada by Inavero on behalf of CareerBuilder. First, applicants should be ready to speak to the top brass, and prepare for every interview as if they'll be speaking with the CEO. That doesn't just mean wearing a nice outfit. Applicants should familiarize with the company mandate, mission, and what the long-term goals of the organization are. Additionally, these days many potential employers will use Google, Facebook, and Twitter to learn more about you, so make sure any online personas are free of digital dirt. Lastly, job-seekers should know their audience. While a lack of skills is the primary reason why many employers will dismiss a job candidate from consideration, two other factors often come into play that can knock you out of the running. Many bosses who took part in the survey claim they dismiss a candidate who is not a good fit for their company culture and whose salary expectations are too high.

Do Your Research

My experience in conducting interviews is that candidates tend to fall into 2 categories.  Those who are prepared and those who are more than obviously not.  In today's tough job market you can't afford to fall into the 2nd group.

With the easy access to information today there is no excuse to ask during an interview "What does this company do?"  Knowing an overview of the company is something you should know before you apply.  You should also read the job description if responding to a job posting.

Mangers and Recruiters make a lot of initial phone calls to screen job candidates.  There is such a difference between introducing myself and my company name and the applicant knows why I am calling.  When a candidate ask me what is "company name they applied to" and "what position are you looking to fill" when they applied for a specific position often ends the candidate from being considered for the position.

A job candidate whose response is "ABC Company, I just read a magazine article about you" for example gets picked for the candidates being interviewed most of the time.

Six Key Interview Answers Employers Need to Hear

Six Key Interview Answers Employers Need to Hear

During the typical job interview, you'll be peppered with many interview questions. But do you really understand what the interviewer needs to know?

"Most [candidates] have no idea why a recruiter asks a particular question,"  "They tend to think it's a competition to outwit the interviewer."
The reality is that employers have neither the time nor inclination to play games with you, especially when hiring. Your interviewer is not trying to outguess you -- he's trying to assess your answers to six key questions:
Do You Have the Skills to Do the Job?
According to Karsh, the employer must first determine whether you have the necessary hard skills for the position, e.g., the programming knowledge for a database administration job or the writing chops to be a newspaper reporter. "By really probing into what the candidate has done in the past, an interviewer can tap into hard skills."
But the interviewer is also looking for key soft skills you'll need to succeed in the job and organization, such as the ability to work well on teams or "the requisite common sense to figure things out with some basic training," says Terese Corey Blanck, director of student development at internship company Student Experience and a partner in College to Career, a consulting firm.
Do You Fit?
"Every organization's first thought is about fit and potentially fit in a certain department," Corey Blanck says. That means the interviewer is trying to pinpoint not only whether you match up well with both the company's and department's activities but also whether you'll complement the talents of your potential coworkers.
Do You Understand the Company and Its Purpose?
If the organization fits well with your career aspirations, you'll naturally be motivated to do good work there -- and stay more than a month or two, Corey Blanck reasons. "I don't want someone to take the position because it's a job and it fits their skills," she says. "I want them to be excited about our mission and what we do."
How Do You Stack Up Against the Competition?
You're being evaluated in relation to other candidates for the job. In other words, this test is graded on a curve. So the interviewer will constantly be comparing your performance with that of the other candidates'.
Do You Have the Right Mind-Set for the Job and Company?
"I'm always looking for someone who has a can-do type of attitude," Corey Blanck explains. "I want someone who wants to be challenged and is internally motivated to do well.
Corey Blanck points out that an employer can't train for this essential trait. "But you can hire for it," she says. "And if you don't, you'll end up with a lower-performing employee."
Do You Want the Job?
Most employers know better than to believe everyone they interview actually wants the position being offered. They understand some candidates are exploring their options, while others are using an interview with a company they don't care about to hone their interview skills.
So you have to prove you really want the job, says Al Pollard, senior college recruiter for Countrywide Financial. "I use the ditch-digger analogy," he says. "Many of us can dig ditches, but few are willing to -- and even fewer want to."

Do Research on the Company You Want To Work For

Don't just do an Internet search, memorize their mission, and be done with it. Remember that you're competing with lots of other candidates for a single position. You may not be able to change your natural intelligence, or the skills that you come to the job with, but you can always change your work ethic. Work harder than everyone else by researching the company or companies you wish to work for like your life depended on it.

If it's a retail company, visit a few of their stores, observe the customers, and even strike up a few conversations. Talk to existing employees — ask them what it's like working there, how long the position has been open, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting it. Become familiar with the history of the company. Who started it? Where? Who runs it now? Be creative and put yourself ahead of the rest.

Are You Available To Get Hired?

Technology changes can be an asset for a job hunter.  Make sure you are using technology to your benefit.  Some of these suggestions may appear to be common sense.  However, I have personally called 100"s of job candidates who make these mistakes.

Have a voice mail set up on every phone number you give out.  I know the younger generation prefers text messages.  When you're looking for work, adapt to potential employer's preferences.  Landlines do not text even if the hiring manager wanted to oblige. 

So what happens when an employer calls you and can not leave a message?  They probably call the next candidate on their list. 

Checking your voice mail message frequently is a must when looking to get hired.  Promptly returning calls are important.  Also, what happens if your voice mail is full and the recruiter can not leave a message?  See above.

Finally make sure your voice mail greeting gives a good impression.  We all have freedom of speech, but let's save the colorful greetings for after you are hired.

How You Answer Your Phone is IMPORTANT

If you are currently looking for employment then you should be expecting potential employers to call you...right?

How you answer the phone is the very 1st impression you may make with a hiring manager or recruiter.  As we all know, it is difficult to change a 1st impression.

Think about this every time you answer the phone.  Being rude because you think a telemarketer is calling can end your potential to get hired before it even started.  Unnecessary screening is at best annoying to potential employers and at worst can make you appear to not have enough business etiquette or intelligence.  When answering the phone and asked if  you (your name) is there say yes.  Asking harshly who is calling is irritating.  If they are calling you, doesn't it make sense that they will introduce themselves as soon as they know they have the correct person.

Only use your personal cell phone number unless whoever may be answering your home phone will make a good impression.  Polite children, a nice spouse or a caring parent is fine.  The person answering the phone shouldn't ask a multitude of questions about the position.  Living at home right after college is fine.  Having your parents act like you are a little kid to a potential employer isn't.

How to get a Recruiter to help you in your Job Search

Make a good first impression: Approach a recruiter as you would a prospective employer, and send an email with a professional cover letter or social media message.

Make an introduction: Introduce yourself during the first conversation, just as you would in an interview. A recruiter will need to be comfortable with you before advocating for you as a candidate to a prospective employer.

Provide information: Let recruiters know how you found them and if you're interested in working for a specific company or targeted industry.

Think longer term: Be prepared to stay in touch over the short, medium and long term to find the right opportunity.

Keep your information current: Ensure they never have an out-of-date résumé on file, and update your recruiter when things change.

Be open to constructive feedback: A recruiter can share a great deal of information about the company, job requirements and even specific interviewer characteristics before an interview. After the interview, ask for and be open to constructive feedback.

Share insights: What did you learn in the interview that would help both you and your recruiter? Was the job as described by the recruiter or has it changed? Was there a new interviewer in the process? Is this the right role for you based on your career goals?

Keep the communication open: Maintain a positive relationship for the future, even if you secure another job.

Become a resource: Share your industry knowledge and network of contacts who may be interested in learning more about an opportunity.

Consider all kinds of work: Short- or long-term project and contract work can often be a steppingstone to a permanent job and allows you an opportunity to evaluate the job and company.

Be clear: An open dialogue regarding your work experience, career goals and salary requirements will increase the chances of a successful placement.