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10/29/17 - We Asked 750 Hiring Managers What Makes a Candidate Irresistible, Here’s What They Said

 

by Amy Elisa Jackson
https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/informed-candidate-survey/ 

Between sizing up the job description and ensuring your resume is up to snuff, job seekers have got a lot on their plates. Wouldn’t you appreciate some insight into what a forward-thinking employer expects in its candidates?

Well, now we might just be able to help with that. Glassdoor recently surveyed 750 hiring decision makers (think: recruiters, hiring managers & more) across the U.S. and UK to find out what they thought were the most important skills for a candidate to have. And don’t worry, these are traits that anyone in any profession or industry can have.

Do we have your attention? Okay, here’s the scoop.

Results from the survey told us that nine in ten (88%) hiring decision makers agree that an informed candidate is a quality candidate. Because they know more and self-select for the positions that are right for them, informed candidates make the hiring process a lot easier. The 750 hiring decision makers at companies of all sizes across the U.S. and UK that we surveyed helped illuminate who a quality candidate – an informed candidate – really is.

Hiring decision makers that were surveyed report that an informed candidate is:

  • Prepared for interview and asks pertinent questions
  • Demonstrates right experience
  • Knowledgeable about the job role
  • Knowledgeable of the organization’s culture and values
  • Prepared so that they have the right expectations about compensation and benefits
  • Engaged in their job search
  • Relevant as they present a customized resume or cover letter
  • More thoughtful about where he/she works

Sure, skills and experience matter, but according to HR insiders, a candidate who is knowledgeable about the company and is highly engaged is a must-hire. Your goal as a job seeker should be to stand out from the crowd for all of the right reasons, and at all of the pivotal moments, from application to negotiation and, ultimately, on the job.

Why do these traits matter to recruiters and hiring managers?

Because they want you to succeed at their company. The top benefits of hiring informed candidates, according to our survey results, are:

  • Better employee retention
  • More productive employee
  • More engaged employee
  • Better team player
  • Improved employee experience
  • Better source for employee referrals

We’ve all heard the saying “time is money,” but perhaps there is no more applicable instance for this saying than in recruiting. According to research, it takes an average of 52 days to fill an open position, up from 48 days in 2011. And, $4,000 is the average amount U.S. companies spend to fill an open position.

All this means that recruiters and hiring managers are focused on making the best hire. The informed candidate is the best hire.

Glassdoor is a place where job seekers gather the information they need to find a job that fits their life – it’s the place you come to get more informed.

If you’ve got a job interview coming up or if you are eying your next career move, here are the steps you must take before talking to a hiring manager:

  1. Do your research
  2. Make your resume stand out
  3. Prepare for the interview before you get it
  4. Continue to learn throughout the recruiting process
  5. Negotiate like a pro
  6. Ask as many questions as necessary
  7. Say “Yes” if the job & company are right for you

“Someone once gave me great advice early in my career – salary and benefits are important, but you also want to work for a company that matches your personal values,” says David Orr, Head of Talent Acquisition, North America at Sanofi US.” Before applying to Sanofi US you should learn about our company by researching our corporate and US websites. You’ll see how we keep the patient at the center of all we do, how we work to meet medical needs and what we offer to our employees when it comes to work/life [balance] and professional development. Knowing this will help you to understand if Sanofi is the right fit for you. You also need to have a good sense of self and understanding of where you want to go in your career. At Sanofi we offer great resources and programs to develop our employees, but ultimately the employee owns their future career path.”