How to Nail Your Interview with a Recruiter: Tips and Strategies for Success
One of the biggest stressors for most people who are looking for the perfect job is the interview process—especially if you find yourself interviewing with a recruiter for the first time. Recruiters are more than just the gatekeepers for hiring managers—they can be an invaluable strategic asset to both candidates and hiring managers, and they're often the first people you’ll have a conversation with when applying to work with a new company. Preparing for an interview with a recruiter requires some planning if you want to set yourself apart from the rest of the applicants.
Recruiters are similar to hiring managers, in that they are experts in a specific field, and are highly skilled in looking for specific skills and experiences that match the job description. Recruiters also look for candidates who fit the company culture and have a high potential to succeed in the role. In this article, we'll provide you with some tips and tricks to help you nail your interview with a recruiter.
Preparing for the Interview
Preparing for an interview with a recruiter is crucial to increasing your chances of landing the job. Here are a few tips to help you prepare:
View (and utilize) your recruiter the right way: A top-level professional recruiter is more than just a vehicle to find a job, he or she can be your most valuable asset as you search for the right position. Many times, your recruiter will want to get to know you before a job opportunity arises, discovering where you’re at with skills, goals and work experience, so they can take a more personalized and highly-targeted approach to match you with the right opportunity where you will lead the field of applicants.
Research the company, if known: You won’t always know the company to which you’ll be applying, but if you do, spend some time before the interview to research that company to learn about its mission, values, and culture. This will help you understand if the company is a good fit for you and also help you answer questions during the interview. Most company websites have a mission statement and an “about us” section that explains more details about how the company started, what they do, how they work, and what they envision for the future. Having this knowledge about the company’s history and vision demonstrates how much you care about working for the company.
Review the job description (again, if known): Make sure you thoroughly understand the job requirements and how your skills and experience align with them. This will help you tailor your responses during the interview. Even if you are mission some of the skills and experiences described in the job description, you can be prepared with answers on why you believe you are still a qualified fit for the role and the value that you can bring to the company.
Practice answering common interview questions: Prepare responses to common interview questions. You will likely be asked questions like, "tell me about yourself" and "what are your strengths and weaknesses?". These seemingly easy questions can become difficult to answer on the spot, so it's a good idea to outline what you’d like to say beforehand. This will help you feel more confident during the interview.
Dress appropriately (even on Zoom): Make sure you dress professionally for the interview. This will help you make a great first impression. Nowadays, many interviewers take place virtually, but this is not a reason to slack on putting on your slacks (no pun intended). If you’re not sure what to wear, a good rule of thumb is to wear what you’d wear to the job itself (and make sure it's clean and free of any rips or stains).
Have a copy of your resume handy: Bring a copy of your resume to the interview in case you or the recruiter needs to refer to it. If you’re doing a virtual interview, email a copy of your resume to your recruiter prior to the interview and have a printed copy for yourself.
More on researching a Company
Chances are you briefly looked over the company in question's website before you sent your application off. But, once you land an interview, it’s time for some serious prep work. Researching the company you’re applying to work for shows that you're interested in the company and that you're willing to put in the effort to learn more about them. Here are a few ways you can find exactly what you need to know when you’re researching a company:
Visit the company's website and read about its history, mission, and values. You can find the bulk of this information on the company’s main homepage and its “about us” page.
Check out the company's social media pages to see what they're posting and what their followers are saying about them.
Look for recent news articles about the company to see what they've been up to and what challenges they are facing.
Read reviews from current and former employees on websites like Glassdoor to get an idea of what it's like to work for the company.
When researching any company, it's important to focus on the information that's relevant to the job you're interviewing for. For example, when interviewing for a laborer position, you'll want to pay attention to the company's projects and reputation for completing jobs.
By doing your research, you'll be able to ask informed questions during your interview and show the recruiter that you're genuinely interested in the company. This will help you stand out from other candidates and goes a long way in increasing your chances of getting the job.
How to answer interview questions
Preparing for a job interview is not just about researching the company and being ready to talk about your past work experience. It's also important to anticipate the questions that the recruiter might ask you. Here are some common questions that recruiters often ask and how you can prepare for them:
“Tell me about yourself” - This question is often used as an icebreaker, but it's also an opportunity to showcase your skills and experience. Prepare a brief summary of your career history that highlights your most relevant achievements. Focus on the relevant work experience and achievements you have rather than personal facts and accomplishments.
“Why do you want to work for our company?” - This question is often asked to find out if you're a good fit for the company culture. Without some consideration, you may find yourself blurting out “well I need a paycheck” instead of a valuable statement that makes you stand out among other applicants. Go back to the research you did on the company's mission, values, and recent news. Use this information to craft a response that shows that you are genuinely interested in being a part of the company’s mission.
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?” - This question is designed to assess your self-awareness and your willingness to improve your skills. Choose at least two strengths that are relevant to the job and provide specific examples to back each of them up. For your weaknesses, choose something that you are actively working on improving. Be sure to include what you are doing to improve your weaknesses.
“Why did you leave your previous job?” - This question is designed to assess your professionalism and attitude toward your previous employer. Be honest but above all avoid saying anything negative about your previous employer or colleagues. Some answers to this question may include the fact that you are seeking higher pay, that you hope to relocate, or that you’re seeking the opportunity to learn new skills that were not offered at your previous employment.
Remember, the key to nailing your interview is to be prepared and competent—just as you would be on the job site.
During the Interview
Now that you've prepared yourself for the interview, it's time to focus on the actual interview itself. Here are some tips to help you reign in your nerves and have a successful interview with a recruiter:
Be fully transparent: The first and most essential aspect of an effective relationship with your recruiter is to be honest with them. If you’re applying to some positions on your own, make that known upfront. It won’t hinder a good working relationship, but instead helps the recruiter avoid conflicts and makes both of you look more professional as you work together.
Be on time: Arrive on time or a few minutes early to show that you are reliable and punctual. If you’re having a virtual interview, check to make sure your internet connection is strong and all of your technical equipment is functioning properly. Test your video and microphone quality a couple of hours before the interview so you have time to fix any problems. Then log into the virtual call a few minutes before it is scheduled to start.
Dress appropriately: Dress professionally and make sure your appearance is neat and tidy. For construction workers, a professional look does not necessarily mean a suit and tie. Showing up in a work shirt, work pants, and work boots is perfectly acceptable. Make sure your clothes are clean and don’t have any rips or tears.
Be confident: Companies will consider their employee morale and who will be a good fit when choosing candidates to continue the hiring process. Being confident in your skills and enthusiastic about the opportunity for an interview will show the recruiter that you are a great addition to the team.
Listen carefully: Listen to the recruiter's questions and answer them thoughtfully and honestly. This can be difficult during virtual interviews, so don’t be afraid to use a headset to make sure you hear everything clearly.
Have good communication: Make it a point to speak clearly and confidently, and avoid using filler words such as "um" or "like". This shows that you are articulate and confident in your abilities. You’ll also want to keep your answers as concise as possible and avoid rambling. Practicing your response to certain questions and having an outline of bullet points near you will help you with this. Keep your answers concise and to the point. Rambling or going off-topic can make you seem unprepared. Similarly, continue this style of dialogue with them after the interview.
Demonstrate good body language: Your body language can convey confidence, interest, and enthusiasm—or it can indicate nervousness, disinterest, or lack of confidence. You convey great body language by having eye contact, smiling, and not crossing your arms. Making eye contact with the recruiter throughout the interview shows that you are interested and engaged in conversation. Smiling conveys warmth, friendliness, and approachability. Together, eye contact and smiling are great ways to break the ice and build rapport before you ever say a word. Avoid crossing your arms or legs, as this conveys defensiveness or closed-mindedness. Instead, use open body language by keeping your arms and legs uncrossed and facing the recruiter.
Take notes: Taking notes during the interview will help you remember important details and show that you are engaged and interested in the company.
Remember to stay calm and composed during the interview. If you don't know the answer to a question, don't panic. Simply admit that you don't know, but would be happy to find out and get back to them. Lastly, don't forget to thank the recruiter for their time and consideration. A follow-up email is a great way to show your continued interest in the position. Send the email 1-2 days after the interview, and include a few major points on why you are excited about the next step in your application process.
Asking questions
Asking questions during a job interview is a great way to show your interest in the position and the company. It also gives you an opportunity to learn more about the role and the company culture.
Prepare a list of questions beforehand. Think about what you want to know about the company and the role.
Avoid asking questions that can be easily answered by researching the company online. Instead, focus on questions that show your interest in the company and your desire to learn more.
Ask open-ended questions that allow the interviewer to provide detailed answers, instead of a simple yes or no.
Listen carefully to the interviewer's answers and ask follow-up questions to show that you are engaged and interested.
Here are some examples of questions you can ask during a job interview:
Question: Can you tell me more about the company culture?
Why ask? Shows your interest in fitting in with the company and understanding the work environment.
Question: What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?
Why ask? Shows your interest in the role and your desire to contribute to the team's success.
Question: What are the opportunities for growth and development in this role?
Why ask? Shows your interest in advancing your career and learning new skills.
Following Up After the Interview
After your interview with the recruiter, it's important to follow up to show your continued interest in the position and to thank them for their time. Here are a few tips to help you follow up effectively:
Send a thank-you email the day after the interview. Express your gratitude for the opportunity to meet with them and reiterate your interest in the position and why you believe you’d be a great fit for the job.
If the recruiter gave you a timeline for their hiring decision, wait until that time has passed before following up again.
If you haven't heard back after a week, send another polite email or make a phone call to inquire about the status of your application process.
Most importantly, respond as quickly as possible to any communication from your recruiter. Decisions are often made quickly, so responding immediately to your recruiter helps them do their best work on your behalf, and keeps you from being passed over in favor of someone more responsive.
When following up, it's important to be professional and courteous. Avoid making demands or being pushy, as this can turn off the recruiter and hurt your chances of getting the job. Keep your tone friendly and respectful, and remember that the recruiter is likely busy with many other candidates.
Keep The Conversation Going
Even if you don't get the first job you apply for, don't be discouraged. Use each interview as a learning opportunity and continue to apply for other positions that match your skills and interests. And most importantly, stay in touch with your recruiter. Remember, there’s always another opportunity on the horizon and maintaining a good working relationship with your recruiter can help you develop your resumé in the short term, and ultimately help connect you with that perfect position when it does come up. At CLT Recruiters, we’re always ready to talk with strong candidates looking for a strategic partner to assist them in their job hunt. If that’s you, contact us today and let’s get the conversation going.