5 Things to avoid doing during the Recruitment Process

Want to know the things that might put you in the bad books of a Recruiter or Hiring Manager during the application and interview process? This week we share 5 things you should avoid during the recruitment process…

Going MIA 

Going on holiday? Or away for a long weekend? Working on something that’s likely to take you off of the grid? If you’re progressing through the stages of a job interview or offer, please let the recruiter know if you’re going to be unreachable. There is nothing worse than going "missing in action". It doesn't inspire confidence and reflects badly on your reliability as a future employee. The recruiter is responsible for managing the expectations of both candidate and client throughout the process. Their number one priority is to ensure that they have a committed and enthusiastic candidate that they can represent confidently to their client. You are their reputation. Help yourself by being transparent about your availability and timelines. Your ability to communicate and set expectations is paramount to the process running smoothly.

 Focusing on the money

Look, we get it – everyone has to pay the bills. Recruiters understand that salary negotiation is one of, if not the biggest, factors in accepting a job offer, and it’s also a pretty big deal for employers too. It definitely is an important conversation to have, however if this is the focal point of your job search it will show that you are more interested in making a big pay check than you are about your long-term aspirations, preferred working environment or future team mates. Candidates with a heightened interest in salary tend to be considered as more flighty and self-absorbed and can therefore be seen as more of a risk for Recruiters to invest in. 

 Reinventing the hiring wheel

Job searching can be and often is, time consuming and frustratingly slow. This can be for a number of reasons and processes which are sometimes out of a Recruiter’s control as they often have to work with the internal systems and procedures of their clients. The recruiter’s job is to manage the expectations of both candidate and client professionally. Demanding that they do their job differently, suggesting ‘quicker’ approaches or asking to skip a part of the process because you don’t feel it’s necessary, won’t make them want to work with you. Trust that Recruiters were hired into their job for their experience and expertise, and let them help you be hired into yours. 

 Not knowing what you want

Being open minded and willing to compromise is very different to changing your mind throughout the hiring process. Let’s flip the situation – how would you feel if the Employer changed the job description just before you went for your final interview? Or adjusted the salary? Be clear with yourself on what you want from your next position. Write down 3-5 things that will be deciding factors for you in your next role, and stay true to them. Share them with your recruiter so that they can set expectations with the Hiring Manager, saving any confusion, miscommunication or awkwardness in the later stages. 

 Telling Porkies

According to statistics from research last year, 53% of job applications contain falsifications. Don’t fall into that percentage! Upon receiving your CV, recruiters will want to get a thorough understanding of your experience and career path. This may include any job choices that you’ve made which haven’t worked out and lessons that you have learnt along the way. Experienced Recruiters (and Hiring Managers) will know when something doesn’t add up – and certainly won’t value dishonesty. When references are taken, you could be exposed and you could even find that your job offer is withdrawn. For your own benefit, avoid putting yourself in a situation where you need the experience you said you had, but in reality you can’t measure up. The Recruiter is on your side and wants to ensure that you’re happy (and stay!) in your new role, so be open, honest and ask for advice rather than trying to cover up any perceived short comings.

Are you a recruiter or a hiring manager? What’s the most annoying thing you’ve ever known a candidate to do during the hiring process?