5 Ways to Turn Off a Recruiter

If you’re out of work in this economy, then it’s only natural to be concerned with making a good impression in the eyes of potential new employers. Oftentimes, shining in the eyes of a given establishment also means impressing a recruiter or a company headhunter first. You’ve been on interviews before and you know the necessary steps to take to demonstrate you’re the ideal candidate. Arrive early, dress professionally, be prepared with background information on the company, ask questions—you’ve got the list covered on what to do. However, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do to make a good first impression.

Take a look at some of the things statistics show are the worst mistakes people make according to today’s recruiters. Don’t let them happen to you!

1. Exaggerating on your Resume

If you’re like most people, you probably think that everybody does this. You may even be correct in a lot of cases. However, you should also be aware of the fact that this is one of the easiest ways to irritate a recruiter and take yourself out of the running. While it’s fine to use your resume to place yourself in the best possible light, avoid lying altogether (of course) or exaggerating your qualifications, because recruiters can often see right through you.

2. Heavy Emphasis on Salary

While we do essentially work for a living in order to make money, it’s important not to let a recruiter think that the only reason you’re applying for a given position is the paycheck. Today’s companies are looking for more than just warm bodies to do grunt work. They want people who believe in the same company values and are looking for personal fulfillment at work.

3. Obsessive Follow Up Techniques

While it’s an accepted part of good job seeking to make sure you properly follow up after job interviews, it’s important to know how much follow up is too much. Don’t call or e-mail obsessively (more than once a week) asking for updates on how the hiring process is going. You won’t come across as thorough. Instead, you may be thought of as pushy and impatient, easy ways to remove yourself from careful consideration for hire.

4. Applying to Irrelevant Jobs

Some people seem to adopt a philosophy with job hunting that pushes them to apply for every job out there, whether or not it’s relevant to their field. Recruiters really never seriously consider hiring people who do this; so, it would be more beneficial to you to focus your efforts only on positions that complement your expertise, your personality type, and your experience level.

5. Unappealing Background

While there’s not a lot you can do about not coming from the right employment background, it’s still important to understand that recruiters can and do judge you based on where you used to work.  For this reason, it’s always important to make sure your employment choices reflect well on you in the future.

At the end of the day, impressing a recruiter and landing that job is about making a strong impression. What you don’t do can be just as important as what you do.