Job Search Networking - The Forgotten Relationship That Can Help the Employer Hire You

You undoubtedly have a job search strategy that includes networking with recruiters.

Because there are several aspects to networking with recruiters, this article is going to address the situation where you are talking to a recruiter about a specific position for which you are being considered. This is a great opportunity for you to build a relationship that makes you stand out from other candidates. It is also a great way for you to get information about the position the other candidates probably haven't bothered to get. You're going to be head and shoulders above the other candidates. And it is perfectly legitimate to do this.

And I am continually amazed at how few job seekers do this.

Recruiter Secret:

I always let a candidate ask me their questions at the very beginning of an interview. That's because I begin evaluating a candidate's suitability for the position with the questions they have about the position, the company, the issues, culture, etc.

Even if I don't have answers (and I always promise not to make up answers), I like to know what questions a candidate has. Your questions indicate your level of professionalism, experience, critical thinking and even whether you are really interested in the position or just looking for a job.

Some simple tips:

As you move through the process, ask the recruiter questions about the position. You may not realize that while most recruiters won't "coach" you for the interview, they do have information they would willingly share. This isn't a game of keep away. Employers really want to do everything possible to hire the right person for the job. They have shared information with the recruiter that is yours for the asking. You may not get to ask all these questions, so start with the ones that will be most helpful for you to know.

Here are some questions you might consider asking:
• What is the reason you are hiring for this position now?
• What is the most important task for this position and what makes it the most important?
• What does the hiring manager think is the most important experience/skill for the position?
• What will this person be expected to accomplish in their first 3, 6 or 9 months?
• What is the culture like?
• What is the hiring manager like? When did they join the company? What is it like to work for him/her?
• How do I stack up against the other candidates?
• Is there anything you think I'm missing that the hiring manager is looking for?

If you have this information, you know what to focus on in your interview, what parts of your experience and style will be most appropriate to discuss. You also have a sense of your competition.

Those last two questions helped me prepare for an interview when I had six months of experience because I learned that the other candidates had 10+ years. Believe me, I was ready to tell the hiring manager why hiring someone with so little experience was in his best interest. Got that job!

Ask the right questions and you are actually helping them to hire you.

Admitting to being the original reluctant networker, Katherine Moody would do almost anything, including hiding out in the ladies room, to avoid a networking event. So she interviewed some networking masters to learn their simple and rarely discussed secrets. Then she went on to get her last 4 jobs by networking her way into the hidden job market with those simple secrets. Katherine shares those insider techniques on her job secrets blog. http://hrjobsearchsecrets.com While there, get her free report: How to create a memorable brand for your networking. You'll love what it does for your networking!

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