In a previous and excellent article posted to this site titled “Working with a Recruiter”, Tiffany Crenshaw answered several common questions regarding things such as the recruiter’s role, compensation, expectations, etc. So, I hope to simply provide an addendum to hers, to assist with some of the common communication problems candidates and recruiters can run into. Many of these will apply to just about any interview situation as well, so there should be something for everyone.
When working with a recruiter, it’s important to be willing to answer questions and tell your recruiter all about your work life. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that the “real” interview is only with the direct employer. The fact is, a recruiter needs to represent you to the potential employer, and they simply can’t do that effectively if they don’t know you. Few things are more embarrassing for a recruiter than to be asked a basic question about a candidate’s experience or goals and not have the answer. Further, they won’t know what additional opportunities to contact you about if they don’t understand your experience, goals, and relevant personal situations. The more they know about what makes your tick, the better.
At the same time, do not drone on and on and on. You know that person at parties that everyone avoids lest they be cornered for the rest of the evening? Don’t be that person. If you find you have the tendency to be long-winded, then do some homework in advance. Develop succinct answers to common questions beforehand and practice on a friend or family member. Ask for and be open to constructive feedback on your responses.
Further, do not talk to your recruiter at length about technical details. They are likely not a technical person themselves, nor do they need to be to represent you well. Several years ago, my brother made this mistake when I was trying to coach him on his resume and job search. He enthusiastically and at great length told me all kinds of details regarding programming code he was writing… blah, blah, blah. It went completely over my head – I was left dazed and confused. Once I put on the brakes and explained what I needed, my brother adjusted the conversation, I discovered the basics I needed to know in order to give him advice.
Lastly, is my own personal pet peeve - never respond to questions about your personal experience using “we” or “our”. When I ask someone: “Tell me about your accomplishments on your current project”, I never want to hear “we implemented the system to 30 physician practices”. That’s great, but what did you do? It’s a good idea to give context for what you did, so mentioning your team for that purpose is fine, but ultimately, your recruiter only wants to know about your experience.
If you follow these simple guidelines, the experience with your recruiter is bound to be a great one.
