During the month of January, I will be interviewing recruiters each Monday to ask some of the questions job seekers want answers to. My first interview was with Allen Geller, Managing Director of Raines International, a premier retained executive search firm in New York City.
- What is your biggest interview pet peeve and why? “People who are very long-winded and entirely too detail oriented during their interview. Remember, you have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak.”
- What is your biggest resume pet peeve and why? “No months on the resume with dates of employment. Then the candidate doesn’t remember the months. “I think it was warm, so it must have been the summer.” It is your life and your career. At best you look unprepared and at worst you may come off as if you are trying to hide something.”
- If someone has a gap in their chronology, how do you recommend they deal with that issue on their resume? “I always tell the truth because I am not smart enough to remember what I said to everyone. In more simple language, you will be fired if you misrepresent yourself. Be honest about what happened, and put your spin on it first, otherwise your credibility will be stretched.”
- What level of follow up do you expect from your job applicants? How much is too much? “Persistence is important, but being a pest just doesn’t work. I believe follow-up via telephone and/or email are important, but candidates need to be careful not to overdo it. Candidates should ask about the entire process and anticipated timing at the end of the interview when the interviewer asks, “Do you have any other questions?” Take your cues from the answer.”
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