At CITI Recruitment we sometimes some candidates simply stand out from the pack. They are natural stars. Their resumes are excellent, their skills on the phone are just as impeccable, and they sparkle during interviews with recruiters.

Want to be one of these stars? Here are some recruiter secrets you need to know.

Part 1: The resume

1. Resume looks professional: No brainer here, your resume should be well structured and professionally formatted. Not having any typos or grammatical errors is just as important. Stay away from fancy fonts that are hard to read, and you definitely should not use coloured paper. Also – please don’t use tables in a resume (the bain of every recruiter) and we also prefer Word formatted resumes over PDF’s.

2. Resume demonstrates career progression: One of the most effective ways to demonstrate your star potential to a recruiter is by indicating consistent career development and growth in your resume. The top candidates for most job openings have typically been promoted two or three times in the past, and have demonstrated their ability to lead.
3. Resume demonstrates decent record of tenure with past employers: Employers do not want to go through the trouble of hiring you, then losing you to another firm. Star candidates typically don’t do much hopping around from employer to employer, and they tend to have a couple of years under their belts in their previous roles. Recruiters are often leery of candidates who consistently change jobs every 12-24 months.

Part 2: The phone conversation

1. Know the firm: The more you know about the company you are trying to be a part of, the more likely you are to impress a recruiter when you get a call. You should be able to cite specifics about the company’s services, mission, and history if you want to stand out from the pack.
2. Have a distinctive selling point: Part of the interview process is coming up with a unique selling point. You should be able to fire these out on command by the time you get a phone call. Make sure you drop it naturally during your phone conversation.
3. Have clear explanations: Recruiters love it when candidates have clear explanations for their intended move to a new company. Being straightforward and transparent is a star quality, and it won’t go unnoticed by your recruiter. Make sure you can clearly state why you want to leave your current job and why you’re interested in the job you are applying for.

Part 3: Acing the interview

1. Make an excellent first impression: The first impression you make might just end up being the difference between you and another candidate that was just as qualified. Just ask any recruiter. Make sure you start your interview with a great handshake and a winning smile, maintain eye contact during conversation, and be aware of the signals your body language is giving off.
2. Pay attention and don’t ramble: The “STAR” technique is quite effective during interviews. The acronym stands for Situation, Tasks, Action, and Results. Keep this in mind when answering questions and stay focused on answering the questions asked.
3. Answer questions directly: Failing to do so makes it appear as if you are avoiding the question, and that certainly will not win you any bonus points. Always answer the actual question you were asked, and don’t assume the question has a hidden meaning.

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