Many roles coming in
The first quarter to date has been extremely busy. Pop in and speak to us about roles we have on including (but not limited to): Warehouse, FLT work, Engineering, Management, Sales Admin and Reception work. The number and variety of roles changes on the hour . Particularly looking to hear from people keen on long term temp/temp to perm roles.
Why didn’t I get the job?
Being rejected when you have applied for a job can be tough.
When we as recruiters act for our employer clients, it is our job to find the best candidates based on the requirements they give to us. Inevitably this will mean that some people who apply won’t be suitable to be put forward or won’t succeed at interview.
We love finding the right job for people because we know how much finding the right job can change a person’s life. A better job, increased pay, a better location or job satisfaction are just some of the life changing reasons people come to us. There can be many reasons we decide not to put a particular candidate forward or an interview is not successful – and none of them mean that those individuals should lose their enthusiasm for finding the right job.
If you treat rejection as a learning experience, speak to your recruitment consultant for advice on future applications, you can bounce back quickly from disappointment.
Three main reasons you might not receive a job offer
Your experience
No employer wants to place you in a role that you find too easy or too difficult. Either way they might end up losing you and needing to recruit again within a few weeks.
Industry and job experience has a big part to play because employers want to reduce risk. If two people apply and one has more industry or job experience the interviewer is likely to lean towards the person with most experience. Make sure you highlight transferable skills in you CV if you want to take on new roles. Spell out to your recruitment consultant and potential employer how your past experience and current skills can add value and reduce the risk of taking you on. Have you worked in a similar industry, used similar equipment, worked to similar deadlines or worked with similar software applications?
Your availability and enthusiasm
Your availability and enthusiasm to start could be the deal breaker for the manager who is recruiting, even if you are first choice. If you have a long notice period, decide you need to build that house extension or take a long holiday between jobs that might just not fit with the hiring managers need to get someone into the business when they need them.
Availability is a bigger problem if the role is temporary and the employer needs staff now. None of this is your fault of course and you may not be able to do anything about it, it’s just an issue of logistics and timing for the employer.
‘Fit’
Whenever a recruitment consultant is given a role they will always ask the employer about the organisations culture. When interviewing people for jobs the interviewer is assessing more than experience and skills. They will be considering whether you would fit with the culture of the organisation and with the other people on the team. They want to know that you will get on with the other staff in the company and they want to reduce the risk of future conflict.
Not being the right fit for one organistion just means that your personality is suited to a company where you would be more comfortable working. Both you and your employer want to know that you are working with people you can get along with.
If you didn’t get the job offer this time, make sure you get feedback from the employer and your recruitment consultant. Don’t take it personally, try to learn from the experience, change what you can and move on. Your ideal job and employer is out there!
Tricia Hay
MD First Base Employment
Your interview checklist!
It still surprises me how often candidates turn up for an interview having done too little preparation. We hear time and time again from employers that a key reason one candidate has been selected over another is the amount of preparation the successful person did before interview.
Candidates who do their research are like a breath of fresh air to an interviewer. It can help you prepare for the inevitable part of the process when the interviewer says “Have you got any questions for me”. It also helps to reduce nerves when you do your homework!
It doesn’t take long to do research and you can take any note you make into the interview with you to use as a crib sheet. You can use the checklist below to guide you.
Interview checklist:
• Check the employers web site and history
• Visit their social media platforms
• Check their location online and make sure you know how to get there
• Look up the people you are meeting on LinkedIn
• Read their profiles and study their picture to help you recognise them
• Take extra copies of your CV
• Make sure you have a note pad and pen
• Take the research notes with you!
• Have some cash for parking if you are going by car
• Make sure your phone is on silent
• Check the weather and take an umbrella if you might need it
• Take your best and most positive attitude!
Notes to make pre interview:
Why you are excited about the job? Write down specific things you like about the company and the job you appiled for.
Why you believe you would be great for this job? What are the key skills and knowledge that you could bring to the ‘must have’ requirements of the role?
Specific achievements to talk about. Measurable personal achievements and projects that demonstrate the value you can bring to the company.
Concerns to be handled. Anything that the interviewer might ask about your background and experience that might be a bit difficult to answer.
After the interview make a note of:
What you like most about the company and role
Why you think you would be good in the role
Any clarification needed?
Preparation reduces nerves and will impress the interviewer. What’s not to like about that?
Tricia Hay. MD First Base