Calling All Job Seekers! These 2 Recruiters Have Tips and Tricks to Share With You

You open your inbox and find that you’ve just received an interview request for a job you applied for. You accept the invite, but how should you prepare for this event? 

First up, you should be sure to “have some understanding of the company’s product and its role in the market,” shares Adonica Black, the Director of Global Talent Development and Inclusion at LexisNexis Legal & Professional. This can be achieved via the company’s social accounts, as well as by keeping up with the company in the news, she suggests.

Kelly Myers, who designs, develops and delivers recruitment marketing strategies for the company agrees. “Candidates should review the company site and be well versed in speaking about the company profile,” she emphasizes. “It is in the candidate’s best interest to ask their recruiter about the interview style of the hiring manager or hiring team and to determine the steps and expectations during each phase of interviewing.”

And, it also doesn’t hurt to be prepared to ask and answer common interview questions. For example, Myers, she reveals that she commonly asks the following questions:

• Tell me about a time when you surprised yourself at work.

• Tell me about a time when you had to work with a boss or colleague you did not get along with. How did you manage that?

• What do you want most from your career?

• How would co-workers describe you in three words?

• What professional accomplishments are you most proud of and why?

In regards to answering these during your interview, Black suggests the STAR (situation, task, action and result) response pattern. “Additionally, tying responses to metrics of success is key,” notes Black.

And this is only the tip of the iceberg in regards to Black and Myers professional advice! In this article, they share more insight into the application and interview process, what not do during an interview and their #1 piece of career advice.

To start, we hear from so many women that it’s hard to get past automated application systems if they don’t have a personal connection at a company. How do you suggest women get through automated systems? 

Black: Research the company on LinkedIn, and reach out to people. Informational interviews can be a great way to get a referral or make deeper connections to the business. 

Myers: Follow the companies you wish to work for on social media. Often, companies will promote that they are attending certain career fairs or industry conferences. Attending those conferences can provide you with multiple opportunities to connect with recruiters, hiring managers and leading employees. Pro tip — do not just drop your resume in a link or apply blindly at a career fair booth. Make meaningful connections, ask memorable questions and request contact details for post-event follow-up.

What are your biggest tips for what NOT to do when applying or interviewing at a company?

Black: Don’t lie about your skills. Be honest about where you have an opportunity for growth, and explain how you’re capitalizing on the opportunity. 

Myers: Do not apply and wait. Apply and persist. Companies receive thousands of candidates per day; standing out amongst the crowd can be challenging. Ensure your resume and social profile are optimized for search by integrating keywords. Use your social posts to get the attention of recruiters or employees of your targeted companies. Be consistent, responsive and genuinely engaged.

When interviewing, be prepared and focused. Leave whatever is happening outside of that conversation aside. Many of us have become very informal in today’s virtual environment. A candidate can stand out by having an uninterrupted interview space, presenting a suitable virtual environment and appropriately preparing for the interview. It sounds simple, but many miss these marks.

Most importantly, candidates should not forget to close the conversation with a summary aligning oneself with the role. Within this recap, candidates should ask closing questions to help tighten any gaps that may still be of concern to the candidate or the interviewer. This technique is a game changer.

What are the top three qualities you look for when you’re interviewing a candidate for a role in your industry? 

Black: Passion, agility and communication  

Myers: Purpose, commitment and fit.

What tips do you have for women who are considering a career change and want to break into a totally new role or industry? How can they best make their application and skills standout? 

Black: Make it clear how your skills are transferable. Also, consider education or a certificate in your new intended field. 

Myers: In today’s talent market, reinventing yourself is common. If you are considering a career change, take your time to assess your situation honestly. Examine what you loved and hated about your former occupation. Envision what you want to take with you in your next role. Truly see yourself doing the work. How does that vision fit your motivations? And, once you have determined what you want, explore further. Talk with people in the position or industry; find out as much as possible to decide on the fit. 

If you are ready to make a move, it is time to be proactive and start looking for your next opportunity. My first bit of advice would be to look for companies or prospective roles that align with your pursuit of purpose. Next, look to elevate your brand through your network and affiliations. When you identify an opportunity that attracts you, highlight your transferable skills and let people know you are interested.

Don’t be timid; ask for what you want. Manifest your future.

What’s the most memorable piece of career advice you’ve received? 

Black: Go where you are celebrated, not tolerated. Additionally, if you want an opportunity or growth, tell people! No one can read your mind. 

Myers: A business mentor once walked me through an exercise to help me to make a career decision. He asked me to close my eyes and imagine my life without my current job. Then, he asked: “Is your life better or worse without this job?” If my life was worse, I went back to work; however, if my life was better, I needed to make it my mission to find something else to do. I have used that exercise at different points throughout my career to guide me and help me determine when it was time to either transition or grow within my current role. 

As a recruiter, what are three things about your company that you always make sure to highlight when talking to a candidate? 

Black:

1. Our mission is to advance the rule of law.

2. This company provides an excellent work-life balance.

3. We get to work with some of the nicest, smartest people in the business. 

Myers: 

1. LexisNexis Legal & Professional provides an opportunity to do work that is purposeful and impacts the communities in which we live across the globe. 

2. We are committed to making a positive impact on society and customers through our unique contributions as a business, including providing access to information, promoting the rule of law and access to justice and strengthening communities. This commitment is driven by the employees who are also passionate about this work. Due to this, we hire people who are purpose driven and align with our core values.

3. Employees gain 24/7 access to professional and personal development courses. The company also supports continual education with a tuition reimbursement program for employees wishing to pursue advanced degrees, certifications or coursework. At LexisNexis, we advance as our workforce does.

Fairygodboss is proud to partner with LexisNexis. Find a job there today!