The Enterprisers Project recently published a summary of job hunting tips from staffing and consulting industry experts. The advice focuses on how to be yourself during a job hunt, while also avoiding common pitfalls. Taylor Hadley, AIM Consulting’s VP of Recruiting, suggested learning as much as you can about a prospective employer in advance:
“Standards for how personal to get during an interview can vary by region, industry, team culture, and the specific role you are applying for. For example, a software engineering job at a technology company is going to have a different standard than a client-facing sales position in financial services. It also matters how closely teams will be working together. Is it a corporate enterprise where employees work independently in cubicles, or a startup agency where employees are working shoulder to shoulder in a small space or even out of someone’s home? Also, do you already know the team you are interviewing with – in which case an overly formal approach would strike an odd note – or, are you meeting new people that you have to impress?
Generally speaking, when it comes to sharing information, it is best to err on the side of professional until you know more about the company and the people who work there. If you are lucky enough to be working with a recruiter who knows the organization pretty well, you can get upfront information about the culture and how to put your best foot forward. It’s generally okay to share information about your interests outside of work; for example, that you like hiking, or repairing bicycles, or writing poetry. But there’s a big gap between showing personality and oversharing intimate details about your personal life. The general rule is don’t go overboard and never be negative. If you aren’t sure, ask your recruiter about the people who are going to be interviewing you and what you might expect them to ask. A good recruiter should be able to get you this information and give you some guidance to set you up for success.”
Click here to read the rest of the article for more job hunting tips.
