Recruiting from a Recruiter’s Point of View February 13, 2008

The Recruiter’s Role The Recruiter’s role is not to QUALIFY candidates; rather, it is to DISQUALIFY candidates. In other words… Recruiters are not looking for what is RIGHT with your resume. They are looking for what’s WRONG. The Recruiter’s role is not to QUALIFY candidates; rather, it is to DISQUALIFY candidates. In other words… Recruiters are not looking for what is RIGHT with your resume. They are looking for what’s WRONG.

What’s “Right”? Accomplishments, not Job Duties Clear progression, advancement, promotion in work experience Brand Recognition – Employers, schools, associations, clubs, organizations, etc. “Buzz words” from Job Description Direct Industry and/or Position experience Minimum 3-5 year tenure at each employer Accomplishments, not Job Duties Clear progression, advancement, promotion in work experience Brand Recognition – Employers, schools, associations, clubs, organizations, etc. “Buzz words” from Job Description Direct Industry and/or Position experience Minimum 3-5 year tenure at each employer

What’s “Wrong”? Files OTHER than Word format, i.e. PDF Colors, funny fonts, GiMmiCks, or T ricks !!  “To Whom It May Concern” Typos and Spelling Errors Gaps in Career Long resumes, especially from junior candidates Phone Call Follow Ups – Use instead Applying to a too senior or too junior position – Unrealistic Expectations Files OTHER than Word format, i.e. PDF Colors, funny fonts, GiMmiCks, or T ricks !!  “To Whom It May Concern” Typos and Spelling Errors Gaps in Career Long resumes, especially from junior candidates Phone Call Follow Ups – Use instead Applying to a too senior or too junior position – Unrealistic Expectations

Setting Realistic Expectations Common Jobs for MBA Grads Finance – Sr. Financial Analyst IT – Business Analyst, Project Manager Marketing – Sr. Marketing Analyst, Associate Marketing Manager Sales – Sales Rep, Sr. Sales Analyst Manufacturing – Project Manager HR – Sr. Compensation Analyst Finance – Sr. Financial Analyst IT – Business Analyst, Project Manager Marketing – Sr. Marketing Analyst, Associate Marketing Manager Sales – Sales Rep, Sr. Sales Analyst Manufacturing – Project Manager HR – Sr. Compensation Analyst

The “Backdoor” Method A way of getting your resume in via the “back door” of a company Useful when you don’t have a pre- established relationship with an employer More Time Consuming If done right, will increase your chance of getting your resume reviewed by the right hiring authority A way of getting your resume in via the “back door” of a company Useful when you don’t have a pre- established relationship with an employer More Time Consuming If done right, will increase your chance of getting your resume reviewed by the right hiring authority

The “Backdoor” Method Step 1: Using technology and your network, find the NAME of the Hiring Manager, Recruiter, or someone from the Hiring Dept. Step 2: Generate an formula. Step 3: your resume w/short intro Step 4: Call to follow up. Step 5: Repeat Steps 1-4 until you receive a response Step 1: Using technology and your network, find the NAME of the Hiring Manager, Recruiter, or someone from the Hiring Dept. Step 2: Generate an formula. Step 3: your resume w/short intro Step 4: Call to follow up. Step 5: Repeat Steps 1-4 until you receive a response

Finding an Formula

The “Backdoor” Method Hiring Manager is Nicholas Schroeder, Director Portfolio Management at Allergan formula is Use the Allergan switchboard ( ) to reach Hiring Manager directly via phone Hiring Manager is Nicholas Schroeder, Director Portfolio Management at Allergan formula is Use the Allergan switchboard ( ) to reach Hiring Manager directly via phone

The “Backdoor” Method Do’s and Don’ts DO —Use a catchy SUBJECT line —Keep your short! —Attach Cover/Resume —Name drop, if possible —Follow up weekly via both and phone —Use it as a Networking opportunity. Ask for help. —Practice leaving v-mails DO —Use a catchy SUBJECT line —Keep your short! —Attach Cover/Resume —Name drop, if possible —Follow up weekly via both and phone —Use it as a Networking opportunity. Ask for help. —Practice leaving v-mails DON’T —Cut/Paste Cover Letter into the —Harass the contact —Expect immediate replies —Reply immediately —Depend on —Say where you got their contact info, unless it is from a mutual colleague

What To Expect/How to Respond Delivery Status Notification : Failure– Try again No Response from Contact– Try again Instruction to apply via website – Do it Forwarding of your to the correct individual– Get the name and follow up Reached the wrong person – Ask for info/help “How did you get my name?” – Do not specify Delivery Status Notification : Failure– Try again No Response from Contact– Try again Instruction to apply via website – Do it Forwarding of your to the correct individual– Get the name and follow up Reached the wrong person – Ask for info/help “How did you get my name?” – Do not specify

Don’t Harass the Contact! The Triangle Theory

Troubleshooting Beware: Nicknames, Maiden Names, Spelling, Middle initials! —Robert Smith could be —Mary Smith could be her maiden name —You heard the HM is “JOHN WILSON”. Could his contain “Jon” or “Jonathan” instead of “John”? —Middle Initials: Do more research. Use switchboard to ask Ideally, contact the Hiring Manager. If unable, contact Recruiter or someone in Hiring Department There are always “irregular” addresses. Try different formulas or search strings. Use Linkedin, Google, Hoovers, Associations, USC network etc. to find names. Beware: Nicknames, Maiden Names, Spelling, Middle initials! —Robert Smith could be —Mary Smith could be her maiden name —You heard the HM is “JOHN WILSON”. Could his contain “Jon” or “Jonathan” instead of “John”? —Middle Initials: Do more research. Use switchboard to ask Ideally, contact the Hiring Manager. If unable, contact Recruiter or someone in Hiring Department There are always “irregular” addresses. Try different formulas or search strings. Use Linkedin, Google, Hoovers, Associations, USC network etc. to find names.

Final Thoughts It’s all in the details! Expand your network now. Be creative and use different search strings Be assertive, but not aggressive Never give up. It’s all in the details! Expand your network now. Be creative and use different search strings Be assertive, but not aggressive Never give up.