December 21, 2010

Is there a reason I'm still unemployed?

• 4 Comments |
• E-mail |
• Print
• • Share:
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

When I presented my career seminars this year, I noted that many professionals had been unemployed for quite some time. I heard repeatedly that, "Employers aren't responding to my application," or "Even though I'm getting interviews (phone or in-person), I don't yet have an offer."

While there are various reasons a candidate isn't selected, executive recruiter Erin Holland-Collins has had her share of experience with many candidates in the financial sector, and has some ideas. She's seen many mistakes candidates make that cost them great opportunities.

"I had a scheduled phone call with a senior executive," Erin recalls. "The applicant told me, 'Hey, I'm at Starbucks waiting for my coffee. Do you mind if we delay the interview until it's ready?' "

"Sure," followed Erin. Erin assumed that the candidate had already ordered coffee, so they began a casual conversation until it was ready. Fifteen minutes later, with the loud noise of Starbucks in the background, Erin was ready to get off the phone.

Another executive applicant had a phone screen with Erin and picked up the phone while driving. Erin asked if this was still a good time to chat -- giving him the opportunity to back out and reschedule -- but the candidate insisted they proceed. Not only was the road noise too loud, from time to time the candidate yelled at other drivers or honked his horn.

Erin remembers calling a graduate student with a couple of years of experience and asking if this was a good time to chat. The applicant responded with, "Yeah, what's up?"

"Is this typical of applicants these days?" I asked her. "You'd be surprised," Erin admits. She says that more than 70 percent of qualified applicants -- at least on paper -- fail the hiring process because of lack of personable sales or marketing skills.

What are recruiters complaining about these days?

• Tardiness.


• Non-responsiveness, or taking a few days to respond to the recruiter.


• Candidates who want their post-interview status right away. Erin recalls a candidate who interviewed late in the day and called the next morning to see if the hiring manager had made a decision.


• Taking a phone call during an interview. The only time this is appropriate, Erin says, is if your wife is delivering a baby.


• Being in an inappropriate location when the phone interview is scheduled. (One recruiter once told me a candidate answered the phone call at a "gentlemen's club.")


• Candidates who haven't researched the company or haven't read the job description and want the recruiter to summarize the position and recite what the company's looking for.


• Not being honest with salary expectations up front.


• Entitlement. Many candidates feel that the position belongs to them right after a phone screen is completed.


• Unethical behavior. One candidate took the offer, but said, "Beat my current salary with my current employer and then I'll leave them for this opportunity."


• Unprofessional e-mail addresses.


• Unprofessional voice mails.


• Unprofessional attire that disqualifies candidates based on corporate policies. In the financial sector, this means jeans or casual Hawaiian shirts for men; and cleavage and short skirts (which Erin has been seeing frequently) for women.


• Candidates who apply for every job under the sun. When recruiters log in to their applicant tracking system (ATS), they can see the entire history of positions to which you've applied. Some ATSs can deactivate your account if you apply to too many openings.

Erin says a candidate once showed up without an appointment and asked to be interviewed. Another candidate asked the recruiter if he could borrow some money to grab something out of the vending machine. When the recruiter didn't have any money to lend, the applicant went to the receptionist and anyone who was walking by and asked for money.

In my next post, I'll share some of Erin's tips on how candidates can get on the recruiter's good side.

Paul Anderson of ProLango helps professionals in transition find their desired employment.

• 4 Comments |
• E-mail |
• Print
• • Share:
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Read more
interviewing, job hunt, recruiting, relationships

4 Comments

Matt on December 22, 2010 8:20 AM | Reply

Laziness

Believing that a piece of paper that is nothing more than proof that you were able to memorize and regurgitate knowledge on a test entitles you to aguaranteed job.

Believing that you don't have to start at the bottom and work your way up.

Obtaining an education that costs thousands of dollars but does not translate to regional or national job demands.

Gemini on December 27, 2010 1:51 PM | Reply

Typographical errors

See previous comment "aguarranteed job".

Dana Briggs on December 28, 2010 11:05 AM | Reply

"Where Are The Jobs? For Many Companies, Overseas"

[url]http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013782733_apusoverseashiring.html[/url]

Quote: "There's a huge difference between what is good for American companies versus what is good for the American economy," says Scott [senior international economist -- Economic Policy Institute ([url]www.epi.org[/url])]

Drake on January 15, 2011 11:08 PM | Reply

How about absent-minded recruiters, hiring managers who exercise poor judgment, and flawed advice given by career coaches & followed by job-seekers?

Seriously, for all the moronic job-seekers out there such as the ones described above, there are plenty of ethical, considerate, hard-working job-seekers who happened to take a wrong turn in life and who are now having trouble getting hired because they aren't *the most* charming or *the most* skilled of hundreds of applicants for any given job they apply for that's at least semi-decent. Even though you used the disclaimer "While there are various reasons a candidate isn't selected", your article lumps all job seekers together (the dumb / obnoxious / unethical ones with the smart / considerate / ethical ones), and is insulting to the smart / considerate / ethical ones.

Leave a comment

* required field

Your name: *

E-mail address: (Will not be displayed)

Your comment: *

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.