Post
by kenfrapin » Fri Apr 16, 2010 10:41 am
Ok, so this is how I believe Consultants actually shortlist potential candidates for interviews. I have come to understand this over various discussions with many people applying for roles in the market
1. Job opening in a company forwarded to their preferred Consultants to begin the search
2. Job adverts put up by all consultants across job portals
3. Applications received and shortlisting begins
4. Key requirements for consultants - how many hits on specific target words is important. As everyone has mentioned, most Consultants have no clue on specifics of the role and look for specific keywords in a resume. They pick those resumes which really stand out or have required keywords in them
5. Each of the consultants usually chose about 10 to 15 resumes and begin calling and speaking to candidates. All they usually ask candidates is if they have worked in this field and use the keywords as a marker to understand if the candidate is fit for the role and has the right attitude and communication skill. A lot depends on this call for the candidate. Example - speaking well, explaining why you fit this role, how your experience is definitely good for this role etc
6. Based on the feel THEY get, they shortlist about 3 to 5 and send across to the employer.
7. The employer then only has this set of 3 to 5 to shortlist who they want to call for the actual interview
So then, what one can infer from this is
1. Possibility of a good CV being picked by different Consultants for the same role is very possible and this has happened for many people so there is truth in the above procedure they actually follow
2. You may be a perfect fit for the job, but just because the initial consultant did not pick your CV, you have lost out on a truly good opportunity to attend the interview
3. You may be technically great and really good at what you do but on the initial call with the Consultant dont give a good picture of your skills or dont talk well, you lose out.
4. Remember that even for really technical roles where communication skills may not be important, Consultants still use their initial call with you to make their decision.
5. Many times the actual Employer loses out as they dont actually get to see a genuine candidate as the consultant did not send the CV across
6. Ensuring your CV details your key and niche skills elaborately is very important so these Consultants atleast pick the phone and give you a call to then have a shot at the interview.
Hope this helps!!!
KP