Recruiting Downfalls from a Full-Timer

As recruiting season begins to ramp up, I’m going to share a few key ways to act that should be obvious, but apparently aren’t. Myself as well as colleagues have a had a few calls that make us shake in our boots this year, so if you’re recruiting, please read.

Don’t come in with a script- Be creative and dynamic when you are taking to people on the other side of the phone. Come prepared with questions and have your elevator speech, but don’t rely on it so heavily that you freeze anytime you are asked a question you weren’t expecting. Additionally, don’t come with all pre thought questions, make sure you ask follow up questions about topics that the person you are speaking with just brought up.

Find the middle ground of professionalism- You want to present yourself in a professional manner, but not so much that you seem robotic and have no personality. On the other hand, you don’t want to act like the person on the other end of the phone is a buddy you’ve known for years. Find the middle ground where you are a well polished high finance individual while also being relatable.

Know the basics- Nothing will get you locked out faster from a recruiting list than not knowing the basics of the company, recent deals that have been completed and are in the news, where the headquarters is, what their main line of business is, etc.

I know most of these are points of very basic guidance, but I have seen them first hand neglected again and again causing candidates to immediately disqualify themselves. Good luck monkeys.