A Recruiter's Notes

A Recruiter's Reminder to Applicants and Candidates 

1. Be on time. If you are unfamiliar with the location of the office, research the area, check the building and know how to get there. Use Google map. Do a test run the day before or the night before your interview.

2. Dress neat, sharp and appropriately. Business attire is recommended.

3. Attention to details. Bring an updated résumé, cover letter and letters of recommendation/referral. Present your résumé neatly. Limit your résumé  to 2 pages max. Bring only relevant letters of recommendation/referral. Check your grammar, sentence construction and spelling. 

Do not put sales position, if you are applying for a customer service position. Worst, do not address your cover letter to the wrong company or organization. Do not put ABC company, if you are applying for XYZ company. 

4. Do not include skills such as language or other skills if you are not proficient in it. You are just highlighting your deficiency.

5. Know about the position you are applying for and about the company or organization. Research both the position and the company or organization.

6. Smile, be friendly but not overly friendly to the recruiters.

7. Listen and follow instructions. Relax. Take a deep breath.

8. Answer the questions. Do not go off tangent. Keep your thoughts organized and interesting. Give examples. Tell a short story related to the question. Give the situation/task, describe your actions and explain the results. (STAR).

9. Avoid casual language ("You know"/"Kinda"/"Sort of"/"Awesome"/"Cool”). Use proper vocabulary. Use complete sentences. 

10. Avoid casual behavior such as drinking your bottled water during the interview or sipping your coffee during the interview. Do not chew gum or eat any candy while being interviewed. You are in an interview not in a social gathering.

11. Given the opportunity to ask questions, only ask job related questions. Do not ask personal questions to your recruiter. The interview is about the candidate/applicant and the position, and not about the recruiter's personal life.