Many people wonder what to expect once they have applied for a new role. Whilst each company has their own recruitment process, this article outlines a typical recruitment process, so can anticipate how long it can take from applying for a new job to job offer.
Shortlisting candidates
Once you have applied for a role, your CV will be reviewed by the recruiter and/or hiring manager. Some companies wait for a specific closing date before reviewing CVs, other companies review CVs daily, so this stage of the application process can take anywhere from one day to three weeks.
Most large companies use recruitment tracking software to scan applicants CVs for the main keywords from the job description, saving the recruiter time by automatically declining applicants who do not match the role requirements. Some companies use an automated process to shortlist candidates for interview.
In order to maximise your success, it is important to tailor your CV to the roles which you are applying for and to keyword optimise it. This ensures your CV emphasises the skills and keywords required in the job description. I offer a full CV writing service which includes a telephone consultation where we discuss your skills and experience relating to a role of your choice, so I can write a new CV which makes your experience stand out, and is tailored and keyword optimised for your chosen career path.
Informal Discussion / Telephone Screen
During their interview process, most companies contact candidates to arrange an initial telephone, Zoom or MS Teams discussion with HR or the hiring manager. This informal discussion typically lasts 20-30 minutes and ensures candidates have the essential technical skills, and their expectations are in line with the role. Most people do not need to prepare for a telephone screen, as most questions are fairly simple and focus on your expertise.
A telephone screen is typically used to rule out candidates who do not have the required skills, rather than to shortlist the best candidates. Most companies want to interview as few candidates as possible and make as many job offers as possible. An informal discussion typically takes place within a few days of your CV being reviewed. Alternatively, some companies may invite you straight to interview.
Interviews
Every company has a slightly different method of interviewing, in most cases this will involve an interview with HR and the hiring manager, and a second interview with the director / department head or vice president. This ensures a fair and consistent interview process. Some companies only invite their chosen candidate for a second interview, effectively asking the director for approval, others may invite two or three candidates and ask the department head to make the final decision.
Most companies outline their interview process and their interviewing style on their career website, job description or interview confirmation email. Interviews usually assess your technical skills / experience and the competencies listed in the job description (which require answers using the STAR format). Most interviews also assess what you will bring to the role, what you are looking for, and what motivates you. Companies usually ask the same questions to each candidate so they can compare candidates objectively. Interviews may involve one or two interviewers, or a larger panel. They may be face-to-face, or via online video conference (e.g. MS Teams or Zoom).
The timeframe for interviews is dependent on the availability of the interviewers, it can be anywhere from a few days to several weeks after shortlisting candidates.
You can influence your chances of success by preparing effectively for interviews and practising your interview skills. I offer interview coaching, which is a highly personalised type of training where we work together to improve your interview skills and confidence, practising questions which I specifically write for a role of your choice.
Offer Stage
You will typically receive a job offer by telephone or email. If companies make an offer via telephone, they usually follow this up with an email outlining the job title, start date, salary and benefits. You do not have to accept an offer straight away; you can try to negotiate the salary or other working conditions first. Offers are usually subject to satisfactory background or reference checks. Some roles may be subject to additional checks, such as DBS checks or security clearance. Most companies make an offer within a few days of your final interview, however this depends on the availability of the key decision makers.
Background Checks
At some point, the company will perform background or reference checks, contacting your current and previous employers and verifying your qualifications. Most companies will ask for permission prior to contacting your current employer. Most companies will visit your online profiles such as LinkedIn, Facebook and other social networking sites, looking for consistency in how you present yourself on your CV and other online profiles. Some companies outsource the background checks to specialist companies, others do this in-house.
Do you need professional assistance in writing a stand-out CV, or improving your interview skills? I offer CV writing help including a CV writing service, as well as interview skills coaching and career coaching sessions – please don’t hesitate to contact me.
