Five Ways to Prepare for an Interview with a Recruiter

How to Prepare for an Interview with a Recruiter

Going through recruiting agencies as opposed to applying directly with an employer is becoming an increasingly popular route for job seekers. But when it comes to interviewing with a recruiter, there are some common misconceptions – and some candidates may not be inclined to take it as seriously as they would with a traditional interview. Here is some advice for treating a recruiter interview just like a “real” interview.

  1. Dress the Part

 Right from the start, a recruiter will be analyzing you to see how good of a fit you would be for employers and how serious you are about getting a job. When it comes to selecting your attire, you should approach it just as you would for any other interview. This means you’ll want to dress professionally and ensure that your overall appearance isn’t unkempt. 

  1. Bring Along Copies of Your Resume

 Prior to the interview, it’s smart to go over your resume. If necessary, make any adjustments so that it’s accurate and up-to-date. You’ll then want to make a few copies to bring along so that the recruiter can quickly go over your resume and ask relevant questions. They can then circulate your resume to potential employers who they think would be a good fit for you. 

  1. Know What Type of Work You’re Seeking

 A recruiter will often have contact with several different employers across multiple industries. There may also be different kinds of work available such as temporary, permanent, temp-to-hire, etc. Consequently, you’ll want to do some brainstorming ahead of time to pinpoint exactly the type of work you’re looking for and that’s best suited to your talent.   

  1. Rehearse Answers to Common Questions

 Although you can never be certain about which questions will be asked, you can prepare for some of the most common ones. That way you can answer without hesitation and sell yourself as a strong candidate. You can find prompts to 10 of the most commonly asked interview questions and advice on effectively answering them here.   

  1. Create a List of Your Strengths

 It’s important that a recruiter is able to identify exactly what you bring to the table so that they can match you with potential jobs that cater to your abilities. You can help your recruiter out by compiling a list of your core strengths. For example, you could outline your hard skills like being adept at product assembly, inventory tracking and loading/unloading. You should also point out your soft skills like being an effective communicator, having the ability to work independently, having a strong work ethic, etc.

When you break it all down, an interview with a recruiter isn’t all that much different than one with an actual employer. By putting forth the time to properly prepare, you can put your best foot forward and hopefully find the ideal position for you.

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