REAL ESTATE ENGINEERINGFACILITIES

What to Expect From a Recruiter’s Phone Interview

R E T A I N E D E X E C U T I V E S E A R C H

CONSTRUCTION

• Base salary, bonus, + structure • Next performance review / potential

increase • Last performance review / increase • Medical, Retirement, Other Benefits

When a Helbling executive search consultant initially contacts you about a prospective opportunity, they may generally speak to you for only five or ten minutes. By asking basic questions and providing a brief description of our client and the role, the objective of this first call is to determine whether you may be qualified and potentially interested in exploring the opportunity. If so, the consultant will schedule a phone interview to talk in greater detail at a time that is more convenient for you. We often refer to this subsequent conversation as an ‘app call’.

What is the objective of an app call? The main purpose of an app call is for our consultant to better understand you and what you can offer our client so they can determine whether there is a potential ‘fit’. The call is designed to allow our consultant to: (1) gain an in-depth understanding of your technical skills, experiences, and background as they pertain to our client and its role; (2) connect with you on a more personal level regarding your career aspirations and motivations; and (3) provide you with more information on our client and the role so you can objectively evaluate the opportunity.

How long does an app call take? While app calls will vary in length, they typically take about 45 minutes to one hour. We recommend you schedule it for a time when you can reflect upon your responses.

What questions will I be asked? The general information you can expect to provide is on the below left while the factors on the right are more in-depth and significant in determining your overall fit with our client and the opportunity.

employment

• Ability to relocate • Ability to travel • Special needs • Spouse’s career/mobility • School age children

location &

mobility

compensation

motivations

strengths &

weaknesses

skills

education

• Three to five professionals who know you and your experience well and who would not compromise your position with current employer.

• Employers, dates, and positions held • Responsibilities and achievements • If applicable, detailed vertical market

and project experience

• Short- and long-term career goals • Reasons for exploring new career

opportunities • Positive and negative characteristics

of current employer and role

• Technical strengths • Personal strengths • Areas for improvement

• Computer / Technology • Professional Certifications • Skill sets as they pertain to the role

• Degree(s) • Institution(s) • Dates

references

preferences• Preferred work environment • Preferred corporate culture • Types of challenges desired

What to Expect From a Recruiter’s Phone Interview Autumn 2014 Navigator

H E L B L I N G & A S S O C I A T E S , I N C .

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An app call does not just benefit the client and our search consultant. While the call may take time out of your busy workday, it could be another step in advancing your career. You may learn things about your experiences and motivations that you hadn’t realized before. These conversations also provide you with an opportunity to do your due diligence on the organization and the prospective role. Below are our recommendations of what to cover.

Helbling & Associates is a retained executive search firm specializing exclusively in the construction, engineering, facilities management, and real estate industries. Based in Pittsburgh, we represent domestic and Canadian organizations in performing searches that range from executive to financial administration, from facilities management to construction oversight, and from human resources to business development.

For more articles on career development topics, visit Helbling’s Knowledge Center’s Career Development section.

• Name of organization • Number of employees • Annual revenues • Corporate structure • Short- and long-term goals • Corporate culture • Work environment

• Responsibilities and challenges • Reporting structure • Objectives • Short- and long-term expectations • Advancement opportunities • Reason(s) the position is open • Skills that lead to success in the role

What are the next steps after an app call? An app call can have two results: (1) the search consultant and you will realize that you are not a good fit for the opportunity (but your information will be saved for consideration in other searches) OR (2) you are a potential match and the consultant will confirm if you are interested in pursuing the opportunity further. If so, information gathered during the call will be shared with the client, with the goal of scheduling an interview. If you have not already submitted a resume, the consultant will ask you to do so. Throughout the remainder of the process, the consultant will remain in close contact, providing updates on your status as a candidate.

To gain more of Helbling’s insight and recommendations for candidates, read our related articles within the Career Development section of our Knowledge Center: Consider a New Opportunity the Right Way; Organizational Culture ~ A Candidate’s Perspective; The Importance of Cultural Fit & Related Case Studies; and How To Differentiate Yourself in an Interview.

You may also read more information about our search process by visiting our website at www.helblingsearch.com.

Written by Sami L. Barry with the assistance of Matthew D. Lesher and Joseph F. Wargo

client role