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Have you ever had a job interview that went so well you thought you had the job bagged before you left the building? But then, weeks later, you received a dreaded rejection letter. An experience like this can be very frustrating, even if you have a thick skin from all the jobs you’ve been turned down for in the past.

What HR and Recruiting Pros Want You to Know

Wouldn’t it be nice to have some insight into what HR folks and recruiters really wish you knew about successful job interviewing? This could certainly give you the edge over the competition (other candidates) and you’d probably have a better chance at landing a dream job. Come along for a sneak peek into the minds of the average hiring manager.

  • Punctuality is Professional – There’s nothing that will irk an HR person more than when someone shows up either too early or late for an interview. When asked to an interview, make sure you are no more than 15-minutes early and don’t show up late. If you have an emergency that prevents you from going to the interview, call ahead of time and reschedule – it’s common courtesy.
  • First Impressions Count – Walking in for an interview, you automatically give the recruiter an impression of yourself as a potential employee. It only makes sense then to make a positive first impression by dressing professionally in conservative business attire, coming in clean and shaven, and greeting the recruiter with a smile and handshake.
  • Be Prepared, but not too Practiced – Recruiters know that candidates practice ahead of time for interviews. Answering too many interview questions with canned answers not only irritates HR, but it’s impersonal. Just try to be yourself, breath and build rapport with the person on the other side of the desk. And bring a copy of your resume just in case.
  • Do Your Homework about the Company – Nothing spells success like having some basic knowledge about the company so you can ask intelligent questions and convey genuine interest. This is often a good way to break the ice with a difficult interviewer who will likely ask you what you know about the company.
  • Be Honest About Your Skills – The worst thing you can do in the HR person’s eyes is outright lie to get your way into a job for which you are not exactly qualified for. Be honest about what you know and what you are willing to learn. This can often show that you are worth the time and investment.
  • Recruiters Want to Match you to the Right Assignment – The job of a recruiter or HR person is to make sure you have the opportunity to work in an assignment that is a good match for your skills, interests, and experiences. Therefore, it may take time to find the right job for you – try to be patient if you can.

There are many wonderful jobs available today for skilled candidates like you. There are also opportunities to work for growing companies in Chicago Southland and Northern Indiana, all with the support of caring recruiters who are HR professionals that want you to find the job you are best suited for. Take the time to review the job board at Davis Staffing for more information.