What To Do When HR Calls... -

Home
>
Careers, Jobs & Employment
>
What To Do When HR Calls...

What To Do When HR Calls...

Generally, when you present yourself as a prospective candidate for a new employment opportunity, your information will filter through the Human Resources department. Since every company has their own hiring process, understand that you cannot always control when HR will call you. Our philosophy is that a prepared candidate will have a higher chance of success than an unprepared candidate.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if HR does call:

1. Remain calm: Very few HR departments will take the time or effort to call candidates they are not interested in. Regardless of the tone or tenor of their voice, a call from HR should be seen as a step forward in the process. Even if it is only telephone contact, you do have a chance to make an excellent impression. Be confident, sound interested, and engage the person on the other end. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make it count.

2. Always be prepared: Yes, it could turn out that the HR representative knows nothing about your skill set or area of expertise. Actually, that is the case more often than not. Take this in stride and make certain you answer all their questions as appropriately as possible. We generally recommend staying away from questions concerning your salary history or desired compensation. Rather, keep this item open for discussion at a future time, preferably the face to face interview. Always keep a copy of your resume handy, preferably next to the telephone.

3. Collect contact information and topics of discussion: If not during the call, do this immediately afterwards. Write down all pertinent information including questions or topics covered. Be certain to get the name and other contact information from the person you spoke with. Finally, if they did not specify what the next step was, make certain you do. Ask directly what the next step in the process will be and when it will occur.

4. Offer additional information: For candidates that normally maintain additional career information such as coding samples or art portfolios, make certain you offer to supply these as further evidence of your skills and interest. Do not assume that the HR person knows to ask for this. Offer it. It will generally benefit you in the end.

HR departments, and their representatives, are generally the first chance a candidate has to make a great impression. Knowing how to handle calls from HR will assist you in the process from start to finish.

Executive recruiter William Werksman is a frequent columnist to job boards including http://www.NevadaJobBoard.com addressing both the candidate's and employer's perspective. Werksman's expertise has been featured in business magazines, national newspapers and television news segments. His firm, Resource Partners, is recognized as the leading source of specialized and executive talent in the Casino and Gaming industry. He manages a staff of recruiters out of his firm's Las Vegas, Nevada headquarters. He may be reached at: Bill@CareerInsider.com

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.nogalesinternational.com/articles/2008/12/02/news/doc493555c8e0c2d099934045.txtcid=0ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNESCscHwBJKK1yliAMDBif2Pg79xwbCareer/b fair set for students, public/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fNogales International,nbsp;AZfont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobr8 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Employers, all branches of the military, and post-secondary training programs are invited to show students bcareer employment/b and training opportunities. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php%3Fid%3D370902cid=1274028095ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNECR5uWwFhtoAu-KMhuAQm1efe_XQRecession-proof your bcareer/b - bEmployment/b expert offers job b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMyWebTimes.com,nbsp;ILfont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobrNov 23, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b understandable to be concerned about bemployment/b, there are steps workers can take to help them be more indispensable and â€œrecession-proofâ€ their bcareer/b. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.weehawkenreporter.com/pages/home_top_section/push%3Farticle--B-Scared-about-your-job-prospects-B-BR-%2520%26link%3Dpush::target_page%26id%3D732662--B-Scared-about-your-job-prospects-B-BR-%26instance%3Dup_to_the_minute%2520lead_story_left_columncid=1276957067ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNHKUFL9sk_oZXPrkow62xTd7NG1NwScared about your job prospects?/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fWeehawken Reporter,nbsp;NJfont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1They say you will â€œlearn how to save your job, conduct a successful job search, or change bcareers/b! Ethan Chazin, professional bcareer/b coach and bemployment/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Research-Markets-Personnel-Economics-Practice/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257BAB786A5C-4D9B-4ED1-8D38-F41F8BF753C6%257Dcid=1276881571ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNEghiGYoJUpB0oY1bo0y9MaXPIshQResearch and Markets: Personnel Economics in Practice, 2nd Edition b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchfont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1bCareer/b-Based Incentives. 12. Employee Stock Options amp; Executive Pay. Applications. 13. Benefits. 14. Entrepreneurship amp; Intrapreneurship. 15. The bEmployment/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.kbtx.com/state/headlines/35410259.htmlcid=0ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNGcBnqI_WODpo7fFvY_Xd6BOZ6AKgTexasTexas Motor Transportation Association Launches New b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fKBTX,nbsp;TXfont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobr1 hour ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b will function as a clearinghouse where professionals can post a resume, search job availabilities and learn about possible bcareers/b. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.jobjournal.com/thisweek.asp%3Fartid%3D2523cid=0ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNGzrMbXn-VyP-ybU_CGDQ7XUbKXxANonprofit bCareer/b Paths/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fCalifornia Job Journal,nbsp;CAfont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobrDec 1, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By Commongood bCareers/b Todayâ€™s nonprofit sector is growing faster than ever. In fact, Independent Sector.org reports that nonprofit bemployment/b has doubled to b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.javajournalonline.com/articles/art_careeroverhaul_122008.phpcid=0ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNFAZom-bJ-W-8zxIgkV6Hrh50FvvAbCareer/b Overhaul or a simple tune-up/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fJava Journal,nbsp;Missourifont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobrDec 1, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Galan: Do you have bemployment/b assistance services after graduation such as resume building and job placement? Peterman: Yes, we offer these services. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/Work/article/148404cid=1276317808ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNFehodp46adISdyHakSKX0nQane6gSecond bCareer/b options for laid-off workers/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMetro Canada - Toronto,nbsp;Canadafont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobrNov 30, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1For more information on how to apply to Second bCareer/b visit an bEmployment/b Ontario assessment centre, or call 1-800-387-5656 or visit the website: b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html%3Fid%3Da0b76fac-1990-4d66-86a7-4462ac8a1c1fcid=1275549878ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNEAJtui8VC_02NeQrYTOtDaIjAGfALiberals, NDP rush to fill positions in ministers#39; offices/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fCanada.com,nbsp;Canadafont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobr14 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1But some well-qualified potential employees could prove to be uninterested because the Federal Accountability Act would narrow their bcareer/b prospects after b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D1624:tackling-career-issues-3%26catid%3D89:learning%26Itemid%3D276cid=0ei=cNg1SZ73D4zK8ASi-Lm1DQusg=AFQjCNGQlZ5mN3x5C8kGceBZbOj8G78nFwTackling bcareer/b issues (3)/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fBusinessDay,nbsp;Nigeriafont size=-1 class=ima href=/a/fontnbsp;-/font nobr23 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Whilst a few conventional opportunities might recede for those who choose entrepreneurship, itâ€™s likely that any experience of self-bemployment/b will be of b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

careers employment - Google News

What To Do When HR Calls...

Careers, Jobs & Employment