The candidates who have had an experience of working with the executive search consultants would know that it is not always the best experience for them. This is because it might get difficult to even connect with an executive search consultant and get a response from them. You may reach out to many of these consultants but they may not even pay heed or make efforts to respond to your emails. Even if the candidates take the prerogative to keep in touch and make the consultants aware of their resumes, they might not succeed in getting to an executive search agency. There are times that even talented candidates cannot understand the right way to approach the executive search companies. This is because they are not aware of the way these firms and agencies work and this confuses them as to how and what they should know and do to gain an upper hand over the others. The executive search companies are in a coveted and competitive sphere and therefore, cannot afford to pay attention to each candidate and their needs and requirements. Therefore, it is the responsibility of a candidate to make efforts to get noticed by an executive search agency.
Here are 8 keys that could be of great use to the candidates working with executive search consultants.
1. Always have an alternative or backup option:
This is an important point because most people rely on the executive search agency for job opportunities. However, it is not feasible to put all your eggs in one basket, meaning that your scope should not be limited to just a single alternative of getting a job. This is just one route for the executive candidates to get a job. This is because for the Alliance Recruitment Agency, the number of candidates widely surpasses the number of job opportunities that they can offer. It does not mean that the candidates should not put in efforts when it comes to executive search companies, but they should be prepared if this option does not work out.
2. Take into account the instructions and insights provided:
The executive search consultants try their level best to get the best deals for their candidates and therefore, always provide them with valuable insight that would help them when they are recommended to the clients. This is because the consultants might suggest the points to be mentioned during an interview, the preferences of the clients that should help you shape your answers etc. The interviews that the consultants and the executive search companies conduct are a way to deduce if the candidates have the required skills and proficiency for the job and if they don’t, they might help the candidates hone them or provide them with information so that they may leave after having learned something.
3. Ensure that you know the correct method of communication:
Many a times, as a candidate you might keep trying to contact the executive search agency and the consultant but without success. This does not always mean that they are purposely dodging your requests. It might very well be the case that they do not use that manner to contact with the candidates. Therefore, it is important to check in with the consultant and agency about their preferred way of communication – whether it is through calls or emails – and try to contact them through those methods only.
4. Do not hold back while providing information about oneself:
As a candidate, it is important to remember that everything that is relevant to your job interview to the client company should be known by the executive search consultant beforehand. This is because all these are taken into consideration by the consultant before sending you in for an interview with a suitable client. If you try to hold back some information and it later comes out during the interview with the client, it affects the executive search consultant in a negative way.
5. Establish a professional relationship with the consultant:
This works positively for the candidate because when you establish a connect with the executive search consultant who is representing you to the client, they might work with a little more than just professional compulsion. It might help them to want to send you in and to get a job at a position you deserve to be in. This also provides a bond where both the candidate and the consultant can trust each other to do their part well. This gives them the push and the motivation to work for you in a better way.
6. Keep your resume as professional as possible:
You might have the urge to showcase your skills while formatting and building your resume by adding details that would make it look aesthetic and visually appealing. However, while doing do, make sure you know that the resume is not supposed to be visually attractive and the visual is not what makes a great resume. The resume should be professional in its look and structure. This might showcase your maturity and set the right tone with the executive search agency.
7. Set yourself apart from the other candidates.
Your CV or resume is not a unique addition as all the candidates might have one too and this is not enough to get a job. However, if your CV is unique to you and geared towards you, it might make a difference. This basically means that the qualifications and responsibilities you list on your CV might be a part of a majority of the candidates applying for the job. In this, you need to carve your own niche and explain the manner in which you would add value and be an asset to the client company that you want to interview for. If your explanation is convincing and fairly honest, the executive search agency might decide to send you in for the interview.
8. Do your research about the agency or company beforehand:
Before you decide to opt for an executive search consultant from an agency, make sure that your conduct your research and have the knowledge needed about the agency you are trusting. This will help you contemplate the operation and workings of the agency and what works and what doesn’t. This is because the agencies have certain niches where they operate and if your preference doesn’t align with those, then there is no point going for that particular agency.
Read More on KulFiy: