Recruiter Insights for Career Changers – Clark Glassford on taking small, 15-minute steps that make a big impact

Clark Glassford is an Interview Coach and the founder of My Practice Interview. Today he is sharing unique insights from his successful 25+ year career in Human Resources Management on what it takes to make a successful career change.

Clark, what new trends do you see happening in recruiting that we need to know about?

Clark: The change in recruiting that I am seeing is the speed at which companies and recruiters are targeting talent. Whether it is advanced applicant tracking systems, QR code applications, or AI interviews, it is all designed to find the right talent before someone else does. The term in the industry is the “war on talent.”

So the days of applying by sending in a resume and waiting for a couple of months for a response from the employer are long gone. Job seekers need to be prepared for the application/interview process from the moment they apply, as the next steps in the recruitment process could happen within days (if not hours). The better prepared the applicant is in advance, the better their success rate for landing the role.

Theresa: Yes, taking the time to research, practice, and prepare will set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of landing your dream job. As a former corporate Recruiter, I wish I had seen candidates be much more prepared to answer behavioral questions by sharing specific examples of how they’ve overcome challenges or achieved success in their previous roles.

What tips do you have for someone wanting to change careers?

Clark: Just take that first step. Career changes are a huge consideration for many people. Just the thought of making that change can seem overwhelming, and many talk themselves out of making the shift.

The tip I like to give people is to think in 15-minute intervals. Find 15 minutes each day to take the small steps needed for a career change. This could be looking at various job sites for opportunities, growing your network on LinkedIn, updating your resume, preparing for interviews, connecting with career coaches, etc. All it takes is 15 minutes a day, and you will be amazed at how far you can come in a short period of time. Small steps. Huge impact.

What is your top resume tip?

Clark: Your resume should not read like a job description. Job descriptions are boring and uninspiring. Your resume should be crafted to capture the reader’s attention. This is done by focusing on your accomplishments in each of your jobs.

Start each position by providing a brief summary of the role (2-3 sentences). Then focus (using bullet points) on what you accomplished in that position. “Increased sales by $1 m.”, “Delivered on integration of new software that reduced production time by 10%.”

Accomplishment statements have a significant impact on drawing the reader in and setting you apart from the majority of applicants who simply list job duties on their resumes. It’s a powerful way to capture the recruiter’s attention in the 10 seconds or less they take to make a decision on whether they want to proceed with your application or not.

Theresa: Incorporating specific, measurable examples of how you’ve made a positive impact in your previous roles is one of the best ways to showcase the value you bring. Here’s an easy tip for writing accomplishment statements:

Start with a simple formula: Action verb + specific result = accomplishment statement.

What is the best way for candidates to get in touch and network with recruiters and hiring managers?

Clark: LinkedIn. There is no better way than LinkedIn to reach out to recruiters and hiring managers and make connections. The best approach to making those connections is to do your research. Review their profiles and the companies they work for so that you know whom you are requesting a connection with.

Then when you ask for a connection and some of their time to discuss the job opportunity, you are sending them a tailored connection request. For example,

“Hi Mrs. Reid. I found your profile through ABC Inc. corporate page, and I wanted to reach out and discuss the opportunity of working together. I am a Senior Manager in XYZ with 10 years of experience and am currently looking for new opportunities. I would love to discuss if my background is a fit for any openings with your organization as ABC Inc. is an industry leader, and I would love to be part of the team. Do you have 5 minutes for a quick chat to discuss any possibilities?’ Looking forward to hearing from you!”

A personalized request such as this goes a long way in opening the door to making strong connections that can lead to incredible job opportunities. Always take this approach and avoid the automated “I’d like to join your network.” This doesn’t provide any context as to who you are or why you want to connect and may negatively impact how many connections you are able to make.

Which interview question do you ask frequently, and what are you looking for in an answer?

Clark: “Why did you apply for this role?” It can be worded differently and sounds very basic, but it is one that is typically asked at the beginning of every interview and makes an incredible first impression if answered correctly.

There are 3 key areas to prepare a response that all must demonstrate enthusiasm. Enthusiasm for the organization. Enthusiasm for the role. Enthusiasm for how this opportunity aligns with your career path. All employers want to know that you truly want to work with them and are excited about the opportunity.

Do your research on the company and the position, and be clear as to how this job meets your career objectives. Practice answering out loud so that you can perfect your response. By doing so, you will easily make a very favorable first impression.

Theresa: Enthusiasm, enthusiasm, enthusiasm – I love that. And as a recruiter, I was occasionally surprised by the lack of enthusiasm I saw in candidates. Often not because they were not excited about the opportunity, but because they were nervous, lacked preparation, or didn’t want to come across as too eager.

But it’s quite the opposite, when you talk about what excites you about the position and how you see yourself contributing to the company’s success, you demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for the role and position yourself as a top candidate.

Thank you so much, Clark, for sharing these actionable insights with us and helping career changers successfully make the transition in 2023! If you’re thinking about making a career change, join the waitlist for the brand-new Career Clarity Challenge. Within just 5 days, you’ll get the clarity you need to find a career you’ll love!