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Tip From a Recruiter - Katja Heurkens-Grunewald
Job hunting can feel like a full-time job and figuring out the best moves to make can be confusing, especially in a new labour market. Getting a peek inside the mind of a recruiter can make this process a bit easier. So, let us help with that! In this blog series our experienced recruitment consultants share their top tips to help you succeed in your job search. Learn how to make your application stand out, impress recruiters, and move through the job application process smoothly by following the advice of our experts. This month’s tips are brought to you by our branch manager from our office in The Hague, Katja Heurkens-Grunewald.
TIP 1 - Preparation is half the work
When going on an interview with a company, make sure you come in well-prepared. It might sound like an obvious thing to do, but it can start to feel tedious to prepare again and again for each and every job and company, especially when you are in the process of finding a (new) job and having multiple interviews. Even when it becomes tedious, it is still essential to do research upfront on the company and what they do.
Also, prepare well for the specific job at hand by thinking about how your skills and experience align with what is asked for. That way you will be able to make your interviewers understand why you would be a good match, but also where you would still need additional support along the way. One of the essential things is to also prepare questions beforehand – what you still want to know about the company, the job, the challenges you might be facing in the role, etc. At the end of the day, a job interview is a two-way conversation. It is not only about the company that needs to like you but also the other way around. So you need to understand if this position in this company aligns with your interests and values. And an important side effect is that it shows that you actually did prepare and demonstrates your dedication to getting the job.
TIP 2 - Be honest and truthful
This actually starts with your resume. Don’t fill gaps by, for example, elongating the period you stayed at a previous job. If a reference check is done, that will surface. If you took a break, also for personal reasons, just mention it so that it explains the break on your CV.
If asked during an interview about your pitfalls, it is okay to also mention aspects you are not that good at (yet) and try to give a positive twist to it. You could think of the positive side of that ‘pitfall’ or share that you are aware of it and are improving. For example, if you tend to lose yourself in the details of your work, that can be a pitfall, but on the other hand it also shows that you have an eye for detail and that you work in a meticulous way, which is something positive! That also goes for when you are asked about other application or interview processes - just be transparent. It is totally fine and normal to have several processes running simultaneously. Being frank about that might also nudge a company to make a decision, hopefully in your favour, a little quicker 😉
TIP 3 - ‘No’ is also an answer
If you are presented with a job that is not down your alley for whatever reason, just let us know. That way we also understand what is important to you in a job. If you have second thoughts about going for an interview or if you found another position in the meantime, let us know, it is normal and all a part of the job searching game. Simply not showing up to an interview or us not being able to get in touch with you is rather unprofessional and really not necessary. Communicate and share your doubts or changes in your situation. Maybe we can come to new insights together.
TIP 4 - It doesn’t need to be perfect, yet be selective
When it comes to applying for a job, you don’t have to go for the 100% match. If you fit the criteria for a role by 70% or 80% it might also be worth a shot. Of course, language skills and experience are often quite critical. But even when you do not tick all of the boxes, you might want to give it a try. After all, a job description is often a reflection of an ideal candidate but there might be wiggle room you are not aware of. On the other hand, do not randomly apply for jobs – there needs to be sufficient matching elements that align your background with the role that you apply for.
Katja is the experienced branch manager of our office in The Hague. You can find contact information for Katja and our other recruitment consultants here. Feel free to reach out to them if you have any questions about finding a job in the Netherlands. In the meantime, you can also read more great tips from our recruiters here. Happy job hunting!