How To Ace Your Interview With A Staffing Agency
Connecting the right employee with the right job can seem like an impossible task for recruiters and HR employees at times. From screening resumes and cover letters to completing dozens, or even hundreds of interviews, it’s no surprise that many employers have turned to staffing agencies to help find the best candidates for their vacant positions.
This can benefit job-seekers as well. The job search advice and connections that recruiting agencies offer employees can make or break your job search. Once you apply through a staffing agency, it is quite common for them to request their own interview in order to get to know you and make sure they get the right individual for the position.
Since recruiting agencies can be the gateway to your dream job, you need to prepare adequately for the interview to increase your chances for success. If you’ve never worked with a staffing agency before, it can be daunting to prepare for an interview with one. Fortunately, these interviews are not that different from traditional interviews. Here are a few pointers to help you prepare.
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State Your Goals Clearly
Since recruiting agencies balance a large number of jobs and candidates, it is essential to make it clear from the start what your future career plans are. You need to highlight whether you need a temporary job or one that offers good career development prospects. This will go a long way in helping the recruiting agencies know precisely what roles and companies are a good fit for you.
Take stock of your priorities and also discuss them with the recruiter. This will take the guesswork out of their job and increase the chances of you landing a job that offers what you are looking for.
Expect A Few Questions
Regardless of what position you are interested in, there are two common questions that you are bound to be asked. First, you should be prepared to talk about how your talents and expertise will fit into the role and company you’re interested in. The second and most common interview question is one that has to do with your character and behavior. You’re certainly aware of the infamous question, “Tell me about yourself.” Despite how daunting it may seem to the interviewee, it’s an effective way for potential employers to gather information about both your hard skills and soft skills and to ease from small talk into the actual interview. Prepare a short “elevator pitch” beforehand that incorporates your experience from your current and previous positions and transitions into what you are looking for in this role.
The best way to prepare for interview questions is to quiz yourself beforehand. Prepare by watching yourself in the mirror or recording yourself as you give your answers. Make sure to speak confidently, clearly, and with emotion. You can also role-play with a friend or a partner if talking to yourself feels too silly.
Ego Vs Confidence
While this may sound obvious, it is a problem that plagues many candidates. It is not wrong to be confident in yourself and your skill set but you should know the difference between quiet confidence and egoistic bragging. There is a fine line that separates confidence and ego and you should strive to get it right, especially when discussing your experience and skills. Remember, if you come on too strong it might be mistaken for ego, while holding back or speaking down about your accomplishments could indicate a lack of skills or experience.
To help you deal with this problem, take yourself out of the equation and honestly assess your achievements and qualifications. If someone else were to describe a similar achievement to you what would you think? Pay careful attention to the words and phrases you use, as well as your body language and tone of voice. Remember, these are exactly what separates you from the competition.
Ask The Right Questions
Engaging your interviewer with the right questions sends the message that you care about that particular job. It allows both the interviewer and yourself to break the ice and get to know each other well. A candidate who doesn’t ask questions might be deemed not interested in the company. Take your time to formulate the right questions, based on your research about the company and what you want for your next position.
If you’re interviewing for a staffing agency, you might not know what company you are being considered for, so make sure to ask the recruiter clarifying questions about the company environment and size to make sure it is in line with your expectations. For instance, ask about the working environment and what the employer expects from you during your first week. If you’re used to a certain perk from your previous position or are used to things being done a certain way, ask about it! Asking questions also presents you with the opportunity to demonstrate your unique way of thinking which might give you an edge over your competition. Remember, the job market is so competitive, therefore, you need to give your interviewers enough reasons why you are the right fit for the position.
Prepare And Be Confident
Staffing agency interviews requires careful preparation and a combination of all the factors mentioned above. Be sure to have a smile on your face and always maintain eye contact with the interviewer. As long as you keep these tips in mind you should have no problem acing that interview!
Author Profile: William Powell
William Powell is a writer and educator with a passion for marketing. He enjoys learning about the latest business trends and analyzing how global events impact domestic and international economies.
