As a professional recruiter/headhunter for the past 16 years, there are at least 3 “universal truths” I wish all candidates would understand before, during, and after the job seeking process.

1. Be on time and presentable: So many times all it would take is one quick phone call. One brief moment in the morning to consider what you are going to wear. If you, or a professional recruiter, has arranged for an interview with a prospective employer, make the time to be on time. If the interview is set for 2PM, arrive at least 15 minutes in advance. This will demonstrate professional courtesy and allow time to complete any paper work required prior to the interview. Begin contemplating your wardrobe three days in advance. Remember the first impression contributes as much as 30% to the overall decision making process. The minute you walk in to interview, critical impressions are being formed and judgments are being made. These ‘first’ impressions will be imbedded in the interviewer’s mind. Perhaps unaware, these impressions are now part of the interviewer’s sub-conscious and a key element in their hiring process. Ultimately the decision should be weighed on skill set, education and work history. Do not, however, underestimate the power of the first impression and the consequence to your financial security.

2. An interview is a sales call and YOU are the product: As a recruiter, it is my job to sell you through the door. When an interviewer feels a candidate did not meet their expectations, it translates that the candidate was unable to convey their specialized skill. The recruiter’s mandate is to establish the initial meeting by ‘selling’ their client to the potential employee. In the end, the candidate is responsible for selling themselves, their most important product. The candidate’s first impression does not end with the wardrobe. Be prepared for the interview interaction. Anticipate the interviewer’s questions – ‘Do you have any questions about our company?’ Script an outline of possible interview questions. This is a sure chance to shine with a prepared, well thought out inquiry. There is absolutely no reason even the most introverted candidate cannot get out there and sell themselves. Know the product, know yourself, and understand that this interview may be the chance to open doors of opportunity. Do not compromise this opportunity.

3. Follow Up: What is appropriate follow up from an interview that went well or went poorly? The answer is the same: Any and all follow up correspondence or communication is preferable to none. Regardless of how you felt the interview went, based on my experience follow up letters, emails or phone calls always help the candidate. It demonstrates the candidate appreciates the time and effort it took for the client/employer to interview. It illustrates the candidate has the fundamental courtesy hopefully will contribute these same courtesies to their company in the future. For those candidates thinking the interview did not go well or the client/employer was “tough to read”, the follow up letter or email is an opportunity to recapture the moment when they should have made a better selling point, when they should have stated their accomplishments more forcefully. Follow-up correspondence is another chance to ensure the interviewer/employer has all the facts prior to their hiring decision. Regardless of the overall outcome of the interviewing process, follow up letters or emails to those involved in the interviewing process, can and in most cases, will assist you in securing the job.

There are plenty more truths to be realized regarding the interviewing process. Adhering to the above three will create a stable foundation for your job search.

William Werksman is a professional recruiter and frequent columnist to job boards focusing on pertinent recruiting and human resources issues from both the candidate’s and employer’s perspective. His firm, Resource Partners LLC, is recognized as the leading source of "specialized and executive talent" in the Casino and Gaming industry. He manages a select staff of dedicated professional recruiters out of their Las Vegas, Nevada headquarters. He can be reached at billw@troptrails.com.

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