It happens almost daily, that I receive not only job advertisements but also inquiries shared by recruiters and colleagues within my network. They ask me, if I can provide a lead for a specific position to be filled or better, if I can recommend someone from my network. I do sometimes still receive job offers for a specific job, even though, I am not looking. Sometimes, I forward the job opportunity to a colleague and sometimes I refer someone directly to the recruiter.
What surprises me however is this: Jobseekers or potential candidates openly send messages like “Interested” or “Can I send my CV ?” to the person who has advertised the particular position. It is out in the open, for anyone and anybody to see and I ask myself: Isn’t the job search something confidential? What if your present general manager or department head sees that you are applying for another job or another company?
Well, I cannot tell you what they or the respective recruiter think but I can tell you, that it does not make a very professional impression, especially if the person who is communicating or commenting does not have the required profile or is also in a completely different location. Often unasked emojis go with the conversation. It might be fitting for facebook and other social media but on a (still) professional platform like LinkedIn it is a “don’t-do-it”. You will be labled without even knowing it.
So, what should you do if you see advertisements which trigger your interest?
1. Check the location and feasibility of a potential move. Within a region, it is not an issue, however between countries and even continents it is very different. Depending on your position there are opportunities where the company will take care of relocation- and moving expenses. So the position has potential from the department head level upwards.
2. Who is searching? Which company? It is likely, that the company is not mentioned. The recruiter provides a more generic description of the hotel and/or the company. In this case, you should first do some basic research and not just state: that you are interested. That looks simply amateurish and the recruiter will likely not pay much attention to it anyway. It might even reduce your chances. Instead, do an honest self-evaluation with yourself. Check the profile description carefully because if it is a private search through companies like Renard, HES, or ESI you do not want to waste anybody’s time.
3. The recruiters in these companies are busy indeed and it is a very personal and tight network. They are very professional and will know you and your work history very quickly, not just from LinkedIn but through personal connections. Make sure, your resume is updated and ready to be sent. In my previous blogs, I have given a compressed review of the format and content of a professional resume or CV and will not repeat this here. Sent your resume with a short comment in PDF and in Docx format to the recruiter, if you know him or her. It is possible, that they will run your resume through an ATS scanner to see if you fulfill the profile requirements and then the recruiters will do their work. It will definitely help if you speedily provide all information and follow up on any additional information requirements.
4. While recruiters are focused to find the most suitable candidate quickly, you can perform your own personal work. You should try to find out more about the hiring company and get a bit closer to identifying who it could be. It might be speculation but it also could be that you can obtain information through your network. This requires some between-the-line communication and most importantly – discretion! You do not want to make the mistake to apply directly in case you find out or share any confidential information you might have already. (Never do this – chances are that the recruiter will blacklist you). This exercise is more self serving to simply learn more about the company and prepare yourself for a potential interview.
It is likely, that you hear back from the recruiter within one week to share details about the search with You. A leading question, if not already asked would be, how soon you could start the job, or if you would move with- or without your family for example. This however happens usually only at the general managers level and higher up. If you are at the middle management level or department head level this question is unlikely to be asked. You should see this as an opportunity to get to know the recruiter much better, even if the search remains just a search without any consequence for you. The valuable benefit is your interaction with the recruiter him- or herself. Keep this in mind.
One more point I like to make here: Choose your recruiters wisely. Make sure they have been in business for a long time. Make sure, they are reputable and work 90% in the hotel industry only, meaning, that they are PROS, like Renard International or HES. Renard International is from my perspective the most established hotel recruitment firm I can think of. There are others of course too. It is important to look at your recruitment agency long term. Just like you have to convince in an interview you need to convince the recruiter that you are not just a fly-by opportunity seeker, but a long term candidate with real potential.
One further action you can take at this stage is, to identify a member of your network who might be a suitable alternative for you if it becomes clear that you are not being shortlisted. You could then recommend this person to the recruiter. Even if this person will not be recruited it will help you to engage and improve relationships within your own network and prove your helpfulness and resourcefulness to the recruiter.
To sum it up: A job search from a reputable recruiter is an opportunity for any career hotelier. If you do not know this person personally and came across this opportunity on LinkedIn, here are the Golden Rules:
- Make contact thru the given e-mail address and not in the comment box.
- Have your impeccable resume with a professional photo in PDF and DOCX format sent to the recruiter within 24 hours, better is 12 hours. Resume shall not be more than 2 pages.
- Write a brief and crisp, yet most informative and to-the-point email. Never forget: there is little time and place for lengthy emails and verbal art.
- If you have not heard from the recruiter within 7 days, then and only then send a follow-up e-mail thanking him and that you were considered for the specific position.
Every job advertising is an opportunity. However never make the mistake to just apply because the position sounds interesting and you just want to test the waters. This is a waste of your time and the time of the recruiter. Before you apply, make an analytical comparison with the job you are holding. If you have been in the present job not longer than at least one year, I would not apply. I would focus on staying in the present job for at least 2 years. And keep an eye on the number of positions you may have held in the past 5 years or so. Too many changes and you will be sorted out and considered a job hopper.
We are going through times of undersupply of talent compared to an oversupply of jobs and opportunties. Fast career development goes hand in hand with proper planning, assessment and the right mindset. If you are in the early stages of your career you are blessed with many opportunities in the next few years. Being with the right company, learning about your job and opportunities within your company and taking advantage of their educational programs is good but not enough. You need to invest in the right books to read, invest in online courses to improve your skills and have a good mentor ! What do you think is the reason for Anthony Robbins becoming the worlds leader in self – improvement. I myself am investing in continued education. I am a strong believer in Kaizen (never ending improvement). I myself participate in a coaching program with Germany’s leading career coach and mentor Martin Wehrle. Trust me, it is worth every Euro and my own subscribers will benefit from his teachings indirectly without having to pay for it.
I hope You will make the best out of it and as always, sent your question and I will answer quickly.
Your career hotelier and helping hand @!
Helmut H Meckelburg