How do I get the inside track at selection?
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Sometimes it can feel like new opportunities and promotions are always going to the ‘known’ candidate, or someone from their wider team – and that you’re never going to get the job you’re looking for. So how can you get a job when the recruiter already has somebody in mind for the role?
The first thing is to understand why this happens and what the recruiting manager is thinking. You need to remember that for the manager who is making the appointment, this may well be one of the riskiest things they will do all year in their role – the consequences of taking on a team member who doesn’t work out can be very challenging. It can have a severe impact on their team, meaning they might not hit their own targets and objectives. What this leads to in recruiting managers is a tendency to go with a known quantity. It’s much more scary to appoint someone on the basis of 2 sheets of paper and an hour’s interview, than someone they already know is a reasonably good performer.
But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to get on that shortlist. Here are seven tips to help you get the inside track:
Put yourself in the manager’s shoes; plan your application and interview based on their objective. And remember – with preparation, any job is achievable, even if you don’t start out by being the obvious candidate!
The first thing is to understand why this happens and what the recruiting manager is thinking. You need to remember that for the manager who is making the appointment, this may well be one of the riskiest things they will do all year in their role – the consequences of taking on a team member who doesn’t work out can be very challenging. It can have a severe impact on their team, meaning they might not hit their own targets and objectives. What this leads to in recruiting managers is a tendency to go with a known quantity. It’s much more scary to appoint someone on the basis of 2 sheets of paper and an hour’s interview, than someone they already know is a reasonably good performer.
But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to get on that shortlist. Here are seven tips to help you get the inside track:
- Find out what the manager is really looking for. People often fail to get jobs because they don’t really understand what the priority is for the interviewer. If you can understand this you’ll dramatically increase your odds during the interview.
- Get to know the interviewer before the interview. Can you call the interviewer before the interview and find out more information about the job priorities? Building a relationship pre-interview helps to create trust and familiarity.
- Research the role and responsibilities. Gain an in-depth knowledge of the job and the work the role requires on a day-to-day basis. See if you can shadow someone in the role, or a similar role. If the manager feels you really understand the job and what’s required to be successful it will go a long way to reassuring them you’re the right person. (And your hard work will show your commitment to the role!)
- Load your bases. Do you know anyone who knows the manager or decision-maker, who can put in a good word for you before the interview? Consider who you know in their team, in HR, or in their peer group. It will help to establish you as a safe bet if they hear that you are applying from a trusted source, who thinks well of you, and can recommend your work.
- Let them “try before they buy”. Secondments are a great way to enable a manage to suss you out without committing themselves as it lets them see how you perform without the risk of a mistaken appointment. Secondments are really a strategy that works best before the job is advertised. However, are there other ways you can offer to help out for a day, or work with their team in some way?
- Fact find and build ties. Find a way to visit the area of work to find out more about the role and the team. Consider what your weaknesses might be, and have well thought out strategies for getting up to speed quickly, that you can talk about. If you can demonstrate you’ve built a deeper understanding of the job and have sound strategies for managing inexperience – and the team get on well with you – the manager will be reassured you’ll fit in.
- Maintain your enthusiasm. Even if you think you’re not the preferred choice – don’t let it ruin your interview performance. Being upbeat, positive and enthusiastic could be enough to win you the job – so don’t think in terms of “no” until you get one!
Put yourself in the manager’s shoes; plan your application and interview based on their objective. And remember – with preparation, any job is achievable, even if you don’t start out by being the obvious candidate!