Chuggers

I hope that this doesn’t have a different meaning in the US… Anyway, in the UK a “Chugger” is a “Charity Mugger”. One of those super smiley types that tries to stop you whenever you are walking around a city or town to get you to pledge money to a certain charity every month. They are relentless in their pursuit of you (imagine the Terminator with a scary smile and a clipboard….).

I was the “victim” of an attempted “chugging” on my way home from work yesterday. I get why the Chuggers hang around busy business areas but oh, their timing just sucks! They try to stop you on your way home when you are clearly pegging it to the station to catch your train.

I have an admittedly, tenuous link to recruiting here… The interview process with Lab49 does not leave you feeling exhausted after a dogged pursuit by us. We move along at the pace that works for you. If you can’t take my call during the day, let me know when is good to talk to you or say that you would prefer an email. If you would rather come in for an informal chat about the company, culture or role before committing yourself to the interview process, we do that too. In short, we want you to feel completely comfortable with the interview process in terms of both content and pace. We don’t corner or pressure you into making decisions – we want to bring on board those candidates who feel that they have the information that they need about the company and have spoken with sufficient staff members to get a real sense of what we are about (and the kinds of people that you would be working with).

Our recruitment drive continues so if you want to work for a forward-thinking, techie centric and respectful employer, look no further.

 

Friday Fun – Interview Do’s and Don’ts

I have spent 8 years as a recruiter and have had the pleasure of interviewing some amazing candidates. Interviews can certainly be nerve-wracking although I have always been aware and made candidates aware that it is a two-way process. Regardless, there have been candidates who have exhibited certain “interesting” behaviour in interviews that you should certainly consider a “don’t” should you be on the hunt for a new job!

1) Keep your hands where we can see them!!

There was the candidate whose CV looked just fantastic and my colleagues and I couldn’t wait to meet him. He turned up, looked well presented and appeared smart so off the interview went. Things started to go slightly awry when he started to “play” the pen top – distracting pipe kind of noises throughout the interview. However, the icing on this particular cake was that he seemed unable to stop touching himself (you know what I mean!!!) – how we managed to keep straight faces – I will never know!!

2) Breathe!!

I met a candidate who, when asked a question, went on for 15 minutes without pausing for breath. It’s pretty hard to interrupt someone without appearing rude but if your interviewers eyes start to glaze over – consider it time to pause!

3) Tell me about yourself.

It never makes a good impression if it takes you 10 minutes to think of an answer to the question, “Can you tell me about some of the highlights of your career – something that you are most proud of”.

4) Cleanliness is next to Godliness

It never, NEVER, makes a good impression if you come into an interview, shake your interviewers hands and then ask if you can then wash your hands!! Did you have something on your hands that you just “shared” with us or are we too disgusting for you?

5) Put the mouse back in the house….

Make sure your flies are zipped! Before you ask, someone else pointed out that the guy’s flies were open – I didn’t look! However, I was torn as to whether to let him know that his flies were open – did it imply that I had been looking or to leave him to it and to occasionally be distracted by the “appearance”?

Have a great weekend!

 

You don’t have to say you love me…

Well actually – you kind of do – everyone wants to know that they are appreciated! There is a good deal of time and effort that goes in to the preparation and conduct of an interview from at least two, possibly three parties:

a) candidate
b) company
c) agent

The time invested by a company includes that of skilled members of staff (in our case, our developers) in addition to the time of the recruiter/HR rep. The candidate may have taken time off work for the interview or at least had a “dental appointment” and the agent will have spent time and money in finding the candidate and recommending that candidate to the company.

What all parties in this game must remember is that each of the other parties has gone to time and trouble also. Sure, I get paid for this as do the agencies that I use. Candidates, if they accept the role, also get paid for their part in the process. The key to ensuring that all parties get a fair deal is to be up front in all stages of the process.

For example, I let the agency know what the interview process is so that the candidates understands what is expected and then give the candidate the salary details what s/he can expect of the role and our culture. The agent passes on details about the company and role to the candidate. The candidate passes on their expectations and requirements to the agency and the company. Where it all falls down is if one party does not match the effort that is put in by the other parties.

For example, a candidate goes to an interview where the interviewers are sloppy, uninterested or rude or a candidate comes along to an interview and shows a lack of interest or respect or an agency flings poor CV’s at the company or misrepresents candidates.

So whether you are an agency, a recruiter or a candidate, please please please only get involved in the process if you are genuinely interested or curious. To put it into a dating context (and somehow link it with the title of this post!) – being on your best behaviour for the first date goes one hell of a way to getting the second date!

 

How to lose a job in 10 minutes

1) Getting the interviewers name wrong.
Check with the agency who you are meeting (if you are going through an agency), if not, call up the company and ask to speak with HR.

2) Turning up late.
Get a map, study it, perhaps do a trial journey the day before. Check the traffic on the day and leave in plenty of time. If you are still late, just call the company to let them know. It’s quite frustrating as an interviewer when a candidate is late but hasn’t tried to get in touch to advise you.

3) Poor personal presentation.
Shower, wear deodorant, make sure your clothes are clean, ironed and appropriate. Comb your hair! It’s not politically correct I know, but about 55% of our initial impression is based upon what someone wears – take advantage of that and look your best. Oh and give yourself the once over before stepping into the building – if there is something distracting (but repairable) about your appearance – it can be distracting for the interviewer (especially if that distraction is an open fly/zipper – believe me, it’s happened!)

4) Diss your current employer.
So you would rather go one-on-one with Russell Crowe and a telephone than spend another day with your current employer? Say that in an interview and you will most likely not get the job! You never know who your interviewer is friends with so keep it professional and don’t get make derogatory comments about your current employer or colleagues.

5) Lie and/or exaggerate.
CV says you can speak Russian? What if you are asked to translate something or to help a Russian colleague? Don’t lie – it can backfire catastrophically and can lead employers to wonder if the rest of your CV is a lie.

6) Appear uninterested and unenthused.
I met with a candidate when working at previous company who came along with such an arrogant attitude that despite him being a seriously gifted programmer, I wouldn’t have dreamt of making an offer of employment to him. You are at an interview to impress. If you can’t be bothered, you shouldn’t be there. Interviewers spend time trying to “sell” the role and the company to you, give them some respect and even if you decide it’s not for you, at least be gracious!

7) Too much talking.
Okay, so you are at an interview to “sell” yourself but less can be more when giving information. Don’t interrupt the interviewer or talk the hind leg off a donkey. Interviews are a two way process for you to sell to the company and for the company to sell to you. If you are asked a question, provide a concise answer and then ask if they would like more detail. Also, don’t talk too loudly – I know that interviews can be nerve-wracking but take a deep breath and speak at a reasonable level.

Know the basics about the company/role.
Many interviewers I know start interviews with “So, what do you know about the company/role?”. They are not looking for a comprehensive response by any means, they are looking for an understanding from the candidate. The more (relevant) information that you can state about the company and the role, the more enthused you will appear about the role. If you haven’t bothered to find out about the company or the role, you are clearly not sufficiently interested.

9) Good handshake.
This is a personal peeve – wet lettuce handshakes. As I see it, a good handshake indicates confidence however, it’s kind of okay to have a slightly sweaty hand. It’s not particularly nice for the interviewer but s/he should understand that you are nervous.

Interviewing isn’t an exact science but having been on the other side of the table, I see how important that first impression can be. Take a few minutes in a coffee shop or in your car to take a few deep breaths in order to relax and remember – it’s a two way process (and a candidates’ market) – they are selling to you as well as you selling to them!

On a personal note, it really is the highlight of my job to meet candidates. I WANT you to get the job – makes my life easier and helps my employers to succeed. Don’t over-stress about interview – REMEMBER THAT THE INTERVIEWER STARTS ON THE PREMISE OF WANTING YOU TO GET THE JOB!