Your complete guide to staying patient during the recruitment process
Sometimes it can feel like the recruitment process is incredibly slow – especially if you are keen to land a job. Find out how to stay patient throughout.
While most companies will respect that your time is as valuable as theirs, and make the recruitment process as painless and simple as they can, others can almost seem to drag it out.
We’ve even heard of companies expecting candidates to work for free for them, and call it s ‘trial run’. Or others dragging the process out, putting candidates through as many as 10 (yes, 10!) job interviews. This really doesn’t seem like the wisest use of anyone’s time.
That said, it is important for companies to do due diligence when hiring, and ensure they recruit the right candidate. And this process does take time, and will require effort from candidates to attend interviews and respond to queries.
Both parties will benefit from a thorough recruitment process, too. An employer can be confident they have hired the right candidate who will fit into their team and enjoy succeeding in the role. And a candidate can feel certain they have accepted a job they will enjoy and thrive in, with a company who values them.
And hopefully neither party will be back on the market in a few weeks, hunting for a job or candidate for this role again.
So how can you maintain your patience through the recruitment process?
Recruitment process basics: What are the phases i will have to go through?
To start with, it can help significantly to understand the recruitment process so you know what to expect, and how long it may take.
Recruitment is a process that includes various phases. Let’s look at those different phases now:
- The application process: This is where you need to submit your CV and cover letter. You will also have to answer some pre-interview questions in order to get shortlisted for an interview with the company. If you’re looking for work in the legal sector then Origin Legal could even be of some assistance as well.
- The interview process: You will be called for an interview with the company and they might ask you any questions or test your skills or knowledge in order to assess if you are qualified for the job or not.
- The selection process: They select candidates based on their performance during interviews, skillsets, qualifications, etc
- The offer process: You are offered a position if you are the right candidate for the job.
Four tips to help you stay patient through the recruitment process
It sounds fairly straightforward, but the first three phases can take some time, and require significant effort from you. Here are some tips to help you maintain your patience through them.
1) Be firm
Be firm if you feel like interviews are being stretched, out or if you are asked personal, inappropriate questions such as “Do you have kids?”. Your time is as valuable as theirs, and you don’t need to bend over backwards to be hired.
Also consider whether you really want to work for an employer who doesn’t respect you or your time, or asks you questions that are unethical or even against the law.
2) Stay polite
Always just stay polite, even if you are becoming frustrated or encounter rudeness or disrespect. You can enforce your boundaries or chose to exit the recruitment process if you decide to, without being rude.
The last thing you want to do is make enemies or close doors that could be useful in the future. You never know whether a problematic person in the company may leave, opening up the option for your dream job again. And being dignified and respectful is going to make you more friends and build a positive reputation than letting people know what you really think when angry!
3) Don’t work for free
If a company expected free work of you, think before you accept. Are they just trying to get something free out of you without actually hiring you? And how do you feel about giving them your time and expertise in return for nothing?
If a company does want to see what you are like before committing to a cast iron contract they can always ask you to work for a paid trial period. This gives you both the opportunity to see if you are a good fit.
4) Before accepting interviews, look into Glassdoor reviews
Glassdoor can be your best friend while you’re job hunting. Before accepting a role with a company, or even before investing too much time and hope in the recruitment process, check out their reviews online. There are sections where you can read the interview and the selection process from candidates who did or didn’t get the job.
Photo by Christina
