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A Job-Hunter's Bill Of Rights

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This is a guest post by Lydia O'Connor, a recent graduate who is now job hunting.

After completing my Master’s in public health several months ago, I eagerly embarked on a job hunt, well aware of the tough economic climate. Having digested the standard advice on interview etiquette, including don’t ask about the salary, don’t wear a tight skirt, and don’t wear your hair too curly, I was prepared to impress potential employers not only with my credentials but also with my interviewing skills and tactics. But I wasn’t prepared for the lack of courtesy I sometimes experienced during the process.

It's not just rejection that makes job hunting so brutal. In today's buyer's market, hiring managers don't show enough respect for the people on the other side of the desk. If there was such a thing as a job-hunter’s Bill of Rights, this is the mandate it would deliver to hiring managers.

1. Tell us what to expect. Let candidates know whether the interview will be one-on-one or in front of a panel; who they will be meeting with; whether there will be any skills tests; and if it will take longer than 45 minutes. You may want to see how your interviewees think on their feet or handle pressure, but you don’t have to spring surprises on us in the style of a middle-school pop quiz. And believe it or not, we might have other appointments or commitments that day. It would also be helpful to know how many rounds of interviews there will be.

2. Be as prepared as we are. There’s no need to Google our family histories or read every article we’ve published, but reading a candidate’s resume before the interview is common courtesy. I once had a hiring manager ask if we could conduct the interview in Spanish because being fluent was a job requirement. Nowhere on my resume did it say that I was bilingual, and when I pointed this out, the employer apologized for not noticing beforehand. That was the end of the interview.

3. Show respect. Start by dressing appropriately. I once went to an interview where the employer was wearing sweatpants and a North Face vest. You might be trying to give off a casual vibe, but make sure to mention that you dress informally before the other person shows up in a suit and heels. Another tip: stay attentive and focused during an interview. Don’t make your candidates wait for ages in the lobby or take phone calls during interviews.

4. Stick to appropriate topics. In swapping interview stories with my peers, I’ve discovered that a lot of interviewers cross boundaries with their questions and discussion topics, probably often without realizing it. I’ve spoken to people who have been asked about their positions on abortion, illegal immigrants, same-sex marriage, and how women should dress in the workplace. I’ve been asked about my religion, my political affiliation, and whether or not I’m a feminist. If it’s not relevant, don’t discuss it, especially if the topic is sensitive, personal, or controversial.

5. Be forthright about salary. Job seekers are warned never to ask about salary. This would be fine if more employers were open about what the salary was. In my experience, 90% of the time employers fail to bring up the salary during an interview. I sometimes get the feeling that they want to gauge my interest without money in the equation. But money is important, especially if you’ve been interviewing for many months. Even worse is when the salary offered is different from what appeared in the want ad – a complaint I hear surprisingly often.

6. Follow up. If candidates have taken the time to interview with you, don’t leave them hanging. Within a week or two send an e-mail or, better yet, make a phone call, letting them know where they stand in the process, whether or not they have made it to the next round. Give your candidates realistic timelines as to when they can expect a response, and stick to those timelines.

7. Do unto others. One manager who didn’t hire me conveyed the news in a phone call (something that seems increasingly rare) that showed the kind of courtesy we all want. The employer said I had a great resume, and offered to discuss further opportunities. I really appreciated the effort.

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