Gustav Müller from InterKon Associates LLC is the next executive recruiter in our Headhunter insights series who shared key pointers on the job application market for senior professionals. From the key questions every vice president jobs’ seeker should be prepared for, to the aspects most critical on a resume: read the perspective from a top executive recruiter or a headhunter.
10 top insights on your application process in the words of a Headhunter
Which questions should a candidate always be ready for?
- What was your biggest accomplishment and your biggest challenge and what did you do to overcome it?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years and what are your career goals?
- What would motivate you to leave your current position?
What is the one thing you particularly look for in a resume?
Consistency in positions (type and advancement ) and job changes.
From the candidates perspective: what can they expect from a top recruiter?
- A trusted advisor that can help them in their career aspirations and transitions.
- A partner that will guide and help them along the entire process if they decide to take a new opportunity.
- A consultant with expertise and insight in the specific industry and a good industry network.
What are the key characteristics for a senior-position today?
- International exposure/experience and an open mindset
- Collaborative leadership style
- Show ownership and an entrepreneurial spirit
For me a candidate is an immediate reject in an interview if…
- He/she asks for the compensation first before all other questions.
- He/she is not well dressed/kept
Which questions would you never ask a candidate?
What is your age, ethnicity, origin, religion or any other personal questions
What is most interesting for you to interview the candidate again?
When someone is engaged and interested in the opportunity and wants to learn exactly what he/she can add to the potential employer and what he/she can gain from the new position
Which social networks do you use for searching candidates or finding information about them? What is your approach?
We use LinkedIn, Xing, Google and some specific job portals (Experteer)
Which questions should a candidate never ask?
- Can I have the contact information for the employer?
- How much is your search fee?
How should a potential candidate respond when they receive a call from a headhunter at their current workplace?
- I would recommend to pick up the phone and stay neutral. If you have colleagues around stay friendly and say that you are busy now and ask for his/her number to call back. A good executive search consultant will ask if it is a good time to talk or if he can call back later after work at a personal mobile phone .
- I recommend to always at least hear what the search consultant has to say. You can always say no thank you after you know the full picture.
Thank you Gustav for your insights, and we do hope all our candidates and senior professionals reading this take note and use these learnings in their next interviews!
About the Headhunter: Gustav Müller & InterKon associates LLC:
InterKon Associates LLC is a US- based executive search consulting firm specialized in serving European companies operating in North America. InterKon Associates supports clients in locating and integrating key talent for senior management- to executive level positions. They strive to mitigate hiring risks by evaluating cultural compatibility and by educating and mediating on cultural sensitivities and varying international management styles. InterKon Associates LLC is a member of NAPS (National Association of Personnel Services) and has a partner office in Frankfurt, Germany.
