trainee recruitment consultants - Interview preparation

So how did you answer the ‘weakness’ question – What are your weaknesses?

“Chocolate” said the candidate who was being interviewed for quite a senior job role. I have to admit it brought a smile to my face and I tried to steer them to an answer that was something more career orientated. I’ve had a few answers during my time interviewing that were similar to that and I often wonder if the candidates have actually done any preparation at all? Let’s be honest once you’ve been out in the wide world for a while and had a an interview or two there are rarely any real surprise questions so you should have an arsenal of top quality answers in your interview database to draw from?

Having said that I’m not going to give the game away and give you my answer to the question but I will say that it has always worked for me but I’d like you to share yours and if you haven’t got one then maybe it’s time to start thinking of one?

Tweet or Facebook us your best weakness answers.

As a potential employer what puts you off in CV layout?

It seems endless doesn’t it, the river of CV’s that seem to flow onto your desk when you are looking to recruit someone. Having been in that situation many times in my recruitment career I found myself becoming ultra picky and CV’s that were in Italic fonts or CV’s with “creative” layouts found themselves on the “no” pile rapidly. Sounds a bit draconian doesn’t it but how much eye strain and time are you prepared to put in to finding the basics about someone’s work history especially when you’re on CV number 25 with another 30 to go? Add to that the CV’s with basic spelling and grammatical errors you start to question the ability of the candidates that are looking for new positions.

They’re some of my CV pet hates, tell me yours? You can Tweet or Facebook your thoughts and comments. Like and follow us to get up to the minute vacancies alerts.

How do you prefer to hear of new job opportunities a call to your office or an email at work? We want to get it right when approaching passive candidates?

I have a hot new role, my client is desperate for me to fill it and the pressure is on and that’s only the beginning! I’ve found your CV & checked out your Linked-in profile and you seem suitable so it’s time to contact you but where do I start? Its 10:30am & chances are you’re at work unless luck is on my side and you happen to be at home. With most people owning smart phones checking personal email at work is an easy task but you may take a while to respond and I need a rapid response so I can move to the next potential. I could call but will you answer your phone and will you be able to talk? It all sounds very cloak and dagger but of course I do not want to compromise your current position and when colleagues see you darting off with phone in hand or hear you say “sorry I errr can’t talk right now” the rumour mill will spring into life.

What is the best way to contact you during office hours?

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