recruiter | TalentEgg Trends

Tag: recruiter (page 4 of 4)

The Most Successful Campus Recruiters Do These 7 Things. Do You?

Campus recruitment, while rewarding, can be challenging. It requires recruiters to think outside the box, and identify potential within students and grads who are, by and large, inexperienced. Some individuals have a natural talent for their job, while others learn techniques that eventually separate them from the pack. There’s no magic formula for becoming the best in your field – but there’s definitely a lot to be said for those who observe and emulate the best qualities of successful professionals in their business. We’ve compiled 7 habits of successful campus recruiters for you to try during your next recruitment event.

1. They learn about their target audience

It’s not just about knowing what they’re looking for in a job – it’s about being in tune with students and grads in general. Get involved with a few popular trends that your target audience is into, whether it’s getting an Instagram account or watching some popular movies. Even if you don’t end up talking about that activity, you’ll gain insight on their “culture,” and how you can effectively engage and communicate with them. A little effort can go a long way!

2. They create interactive spaces

During info sessions, students and grads come in with the expectation that they’ll be talked at, not talked to. The best campus recruiters take advantage of that expectation – they think outside the box and get them involved in more hands-on activities during the event, whether it’s role playing or doing a survey. When candidates are physically engaged, they are more likely to create a subconscious bond with the company.

3. They ask questions that matter

It’s important to show students and grads that, first and foremost, you are interested in them. Yes, it’s important to go over their education and their past work experience. But students don’t want to show you a work history – they want to talk about their passions and qualities, and how their work ethic makes them stand out from your other candidates. Plus, they’ll feel a lot better knowing they were hired because they were the right person for the job – not because they simply matched the job requirements.

4. They engage with the best in their business

What better way to stay on top of your recruitment game than by connecting with others in your industry? The internet makes it very easy to stay up to date with other campus recruitment professionals – join related groups on LinkedIn and follow established recruiters online. If you get the opportunity to attend a networking event, don’t shy away from swapping a few business cards.

Tip: Have you thought about attending TalentEgg’s Campus Recruitment Excellence Awards and Conference? It’s one of the best ways to meet the best in the business – find out more here.

5. They always have an open door

It’s no secret that campus recruiters are always on the move. But no matter how busy they get, the best campus recruiters always make it clear that their door is open. Eliminating a student or grad’s hesitancy to send an email helps to move the recruitment process along, and allows candidates with initiative to reach out to you. Plus, it’s a great means for forging a great and lasting connection.

6. They respond promptly

If you make it clear that your door is open, but don’t answer in a timely fashion, chances are you’ll look dishonest and unprofessional. Keep your promises – if you say the best way to reach you is by email, be sure to respond to them within 24-48 hours. If you don’t have a response right away, a quick email letting them know that you’ll look into it does wonders. If you’re worried about them falling off your radar, invite them to follow up by a certain date if they haven’t heard back from you.

7. They know when to relinquish control

Finally, the best recruiters know that in order to examine the potential in a candidate, it’s important to give them space to act freely. Although they’re in a controlled environment, you can still loosen the structure they have to follow, and see how they respond. Talk to them like a colleague and engage them in casual conversation. When you equalize the roles of the candidate and the recruiter, you can get a sense of how they’ll behave in a work environment. Discussion: Do you agree with the above points? What would you add/adjust on this list?

Do you agree with the above points? What would you add/adjust on this list?

The 3 Quickest Ways To Lose A Star Candidate

March 24, 2015 / Veronica Yao / 0 Comments

It’s a rare moment when everything comes together perfectly in the hiring process. You meet a new grad that exudes confidence, and they fit the job description to a tee – and then some! But that surreal moment also comes with the realization that if this candidate is at the top of your hire list, they’re likely at the top of another recruiter’s as well.

The truth of the matter is, in an interview, the recruiter is being evaluated just as much as the candidate is. New grads with impressive resumes can afford to be picky, so make sure you’re not committing any of these hiring faux-pas.

Leaving emails unanswered

In most cases, a recruiter is the one and only connection between a candidate and the company. For many students and grads, they’re seen as the only acceptable means of communication with the company. So when these lines of communication become unreachable, or unreasonably slow, it can send a message to the candidate that they are not a priority – or worse, that the company has weak communication.

Make an effort to answer each email within 24-48 hours, and make sure your candidates know that you’re open to answering questions. Students and grads will feel more at ease when they realize the company they are interviewing for is not only transparent, but willing to support them during the hiring process.

Taking the “superior” persona

One of the biggest turn-offs for millennial candidates are employers who talk down to them. Students and grads are highly aware that they lack extensive experience, and that they’re applying for an entry level job. However, they are looking to be treated like the competent professionals they are.

Treat your candidates like you would treat a company client, no matter their age or experience. Tell them about the job, but don’t present it to them as a basic entry-level job for new grads with limited experience. Show them the potential of the position, and offer them the opportunity to take on responsibilities in their role and extend their experiences. Chances are, your star candidate will be excited for the challenge.

Sharing incorrect/inconsistent information

Candidates expect you to be their primary source for information. But as we all know, recruiters are human – and often, you’ll find yourself stumped without a proper answer. The worst thing you can do is make something up, or give inaccurate information. Even if it was given with good intentions, this info could potentially trip up your candidate down the road, and come back on you. Plus, it may give off the impression that your company has poor communication.

If you truly don’t know the answer to one of their questions, approach it head on. Let them know that you’re not sure about the answer, and that you’ll find out the answer for them. This will give you some time to ask a colleague and find out the appropriate answer – plus, it never hurts to show your candidate that you’re human, and not just an interviewing machine. Take this opportunity to build rapport with your star candidate… but don’t forget to follow up with them!

Discussion: What is your go-to strategy to appeal to outstanding new grads?

4 Symptoms Of A Disillusioned Campus Recruiter (And How To Fix Your Perspective)

March 10, 2015 / Veronica Yao / 0 Comments

Do you remember your first day on the job as a campus or college recruiter?

It may have been a short time or perhaps years ago, but most people remember that feeling of excitement – being high on ambition, and pledging to do their very best to build their company or organization by connecting with great people.

Unfortunately, almost every professional goes through a phase where they become disillusioned with their job. It’s not that they stop producing great work, or the role itself lessens in worth. But people often forget to step back from the details of their day-to-day work and remind themselves of why they chose to pursue this career.

So the question is, are you going through a gray phase with your recruitment career? Here are some symptoms you might be facing.

1. You’re seeing names in your database, not people.

When you’re going through resume after resume, day after day, it can be easy to forget that there is a person behind each application. You focus on the text, but not the sentiment behind it.

Remember that every application takes time to craft – students and grads spend hours researching your organization, and thinking about how they fit best in your company. Behind every file in your database, there is an individual who genuinely wants to work with your team and demonstrate why they’re worth your time.

Take some time to look past their educational background and their previous titles. Think in terms of transferable skills – for instance, if they’re applying for an engineering job, but they only have door-to-door sales experience, consider the fact that many engineers benefit from presentation skills when working with clients.

2. Their seemingly obvious questions feel like a huge hassle for you.

If you are a campus recruiter, you know that you will often get the same questions all day long from many different students. From “what does your company do?” to “how much does this job pay?” you’ll have to answer and sometimes redirect both professional and unprofessional inquiries.

This can get frustrating, especially when you know that all this info is readily available on your website. Perhaps you feel you are interacting with people who are not committed to joining your company because they didn’t prepare or do their research first.

Always remember that there is not a one-size-fits-all explanation when it comes to why candidates ask what they ask. Some individuals might have attended the event on a whim, and perhaps some genuinely might not know that the question they asked was inappropriate. Use your discretion, and remember that most people are acting with their best intentions, and they deserve the benefit of the doubt when being considered for a role with your company.

3. Every interview feels like a re-run.

Being in the “driver’s seat” of an interview can be exciting – but after awhile, you can feel like you’re caught in an infinite loop.

You know what you’re going to ask, and you more or less know what the candidate is going to say. Sometimes, you may feel like they’re making up answers to impress you, using generic phrases like “go-getter” and “hard worker”.

If you’re getting the same answers all the time, it probably means you need to change it up. Don’t ask the same questions all the time – turn your interaction into a two way conversation. Get to know the candidate on a personal level beforehand, and base the questions on what you know about them. Think about the phrasing you’re using in your conversation, or use more scenario-based questions that will force them to draw from their own experiences.

4. You wait for them to impress you, and are let down when they don’t.

Have you ever seen one of those movie scenes where a court jester is tasked with impressing a stone-faced member of royalty? If your interviews are taking on this image, it’s time to make a change.

Students and grads often feel like it’s their job is to make an impression on the campus recruiter, which is absolutely true. However, if they are not receiving any feedback from the person they’re speaking to, their performance will likely be much lower in quality.

Don’t wait for them to come up with a stellar act – meet them part way by interacting with them during the interview. This can be something as simple as a nod, or even a phrase like “I agree.” You’ll find that when the candidate is at ease, they will naturally show what they have to offer.

Discussion: How much of an impact does a campus recruiter’s attitude have on a potential candidate?

TalentEgg Trends

Today’s Talent, Tomorrow’s Leaders