Perception – Interview Preps with recruiters are usually a waste of my time. Why does my Recruiter read off a list of tips that I can read on my own time? Why is my recruiter talking to me as if I were 7 years old? All of these perceptions can be true when working with a recruiter that treats the interview prep as if it were just one more thing to get done that day.

Reality – Interviewing is cognitive in nature and is mostly a learned skill. So, it doesn’t matter if you have 2 years of experience or 20. You will always benefit from an interview prep, provided it is conducted in the right fashion. Hiring Managers have told us repeatedly over the last several months that selecting one candidate from the others is often like splitting hairs. Translation: You really need to stand out from the pack in addition to being qualified for the job.

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All too often, candidates and recruiters jump into the details of a position without understanding the people behind the “transaction”. In today’s fast paced business climate, it’s tempting to skip the rapport building phase. The problem with this approach is that very little trust is established with your recruiter. You don’t trust them and they don’t trust you. It is an important step in the job search process to get to know your recruiter. Your recruiter can support your best interests only when they truly understand what motivates you. When your recruiter knows you professionally and personally (hobbies, interests, motivators, etc), they will work hard to get you placed in the right job.

You want your recruiter to have a vested interested in your success. If ever you feel that a recruiter wants to rush into the details without learning what’s important to you, run away and find a better recruiter. That’s a sure sign they are in it for selfish reasons.

2012 is here and everyone is talking about what this year will bring.  This article from Network World, entitled, “Can you keep your IT staff in 2012?,”  was an informative look into some of the challenges and opportunities for the IT industry in 2012. The articled noted that: “In a December survey of 1,200 IT [...]