Create a story: Where are you coming from and going to? Why? Is this story consistent throughout all materials and verbal explanations? Be crisp.
Build a strategy: Approach the process like you would a strategic initiative. What are your goals, strategies, tactics, and measures? How will you position yourself to best achieve your goals?
Treat every recruiter interaction as an opportunity to continue building a relationship: It’s really a bad idea to not cultivate these relationships. Think in terms of long (very long) timeframes (years, not months). Return calls / emails; make recommendations for potential candidates; and, make an effort to stay in touch as you change jobs and your career progresses.
Focus on networking through people you know versus calling people blindly. Recruiters are inundated with requests for help. They prioritize those people with whom they’ve had a prior, positive relationship and referrals from their network.
Sell then buy: Once you have decided to interview with the client – and they want you to interview – balance questions you have regarding whether the company is right for you with providing information about yourself. Sell yourself, show your value before asking about benefits. Prepare questions to demonstrate a clear interest in the company and position. Questions about the trajectory of the company, the firm’s leadership, expectations of the role you would be filling, the culture of the firm, etc. Demonstrate that you’ve done your homework, you are inquisitive, you have thoughtful and insightful questions, and overall, you are clearly interested. You can’t get the job if the client doesn’t believe you want it.
