Adriane Schwager has conducted interviews with thousands of individuals and has been involved in hiring hundreds over her approximately two decades in the recruitment industry.
She’s
interviewed candidates
At all levels within a company, ranging from interns to top executives like those in the C-suite, she encourages everyone to participate. As for Schwanger, who serves as both the CEO and co-founder of the organization.
GrowthAssistant
, a recruitment platform, advises that her top tip is relevant for individuals regardless of their experience level: Make sure you arrive well-prepared.
It appears straightforward, yet she mentions observing that the degree of readiness among applicants has apparently dropped over the past approximately five years.
“I’m genuinely surprised by how often individuals neglect to do their research,” Schwager says to SofTechMake It. “One fundamental aspect that I see candidates overlooking currently is this: Do you know what the company you’re interviewing with specializes in?”
Schwager says she’d often give that advice —
investigate the activities of the corporation
— to college students heading towards their first jobs. “However, I seem to be noticing more of this at a senior level nowadays, which is intriguing,” she remarks.
Her theory suggests that this issue usually arises during interactions with applicants who were sourced via a third-party recruiting firm. She notes, “It seems either they haven’t reviewed the preparation materials, or perhaps they didn’t actively seek out the position.” However, she recommends conducting thorough research before the interview to demonstrate genuine interest in the opportunity; otherwise, valuable time could end up being wasted.
Preparing for the interview doesn’t need to consume too much time. According to Schwager, it’s beneficial when a candidate references details from her LinkedIn, X profile, or other relevant company information right at the beginning of the meeting.
“This instantly leads me to believe that the candidate is actively involved and begins the discussion in an exceptionally positive manner,” she remarks.
If you aim to excel further, consider reaching out to shared contacts from your network who know the interviewer well enough to provide insights into their working style as either a teammate or supervisor.
Recently, one of her key appointments in leadership took the initiative to listen to podcast interviews featuring Schwazer.
Ultimately, certain organizations might appreciate you contacting their senior leadership directly to convey your enthusiasm about joining their team. According to Schwanger, several of her most passionate employees were individuals who reached out to her personally through social platforms.
express interest
in joining her company.
She mentions that they understand very well [why] they are applying” and adds that “they remain consistently involved.
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