I’ll let you in on a little secret – I’m superficial.
But honestly, I think we all are. We expect to be wowed, wooed or blown away. Don’t just get my attention… earn it. So when I look through resumes, I look for things that set a candidate apart. How they present themselves in writing and on paper is important; not as important as their experience, but still important.
So I’m here to tell you that it’s okay for you to be superficial. Looking for a job is a two-way street, and if a potential employer, or more relevant to this discussion, a recruiter, does not put the effort into reaching out to you, how much can you trust that he/she will put full effort into making sure a potential job is the right fit.
You’ve probably gotten the dry, unimaginative, “Hi, I’m a recruiter” or “I happened to come across your profile and was impressed.” They want to talk to you, but why? Well, that extra sentence or two might just work for someone asking you to trust them that they have a job fit for you. Yet, most recruiters use these opening statements in their emails. How do you stand out from the crowd? Use personalized praise. Mention a specific skill set or success story a candidate had. Specific praise is more flattering than a general statement.
When you’re emailing a candidate, don’t be lazy. Personalize the email, make the candidate feel special and don’t be afraid to say, “This is what I can do for you.” Give the candidate an intimate look at his/her potential future. “There’s a Benefits and Compensation job in Ohio that would be perfect for you. You would see projects through development and presentation” is a better approach than, “I have an open Benefits and Compensation job in Ohio that involves seeing projects through development and presentation.”
When you are a candidate, don’t settle. No matter where you are in your career or HR or payroll job search, you have specific skills and talents that make you unique. Make sure you’re recognized as an individual up front. The courtship is always when people are on their best behavior.
When Willory recruits you, hold us to this high standard. While most may take shortcuts, we believe success starts with nurturing relationships and caring deeply about both our client and candidate’s needs.
