TipTopJob Blog

Resilience in Recruitment

We all know that resilience is a life skill; we have to be able to bounce back from our setbacks, ready to face the world again. But resilience in job hunting can feel like a very different beast. So, how do you keep the faith and pick yourself up, time and time again?

Remember, it’s not personal it’s business ...

We all know what job hunting can be like – spending hours sweating over application forms or changing the focus of your CV to accommodate the requirements of an individual employer. The elation of being selected for interview, thinking you’ve aced it, only to be told that you weren’t going to be offered the job. It all feels very personal. And that’s the first rule of job hunting resilience: rejection isn’t personal. So, how do you use this to your advantage? 

• Objective reflection: Give yourself a little time to grieve (but not too long – time is money!), then spend some time reflecting on the interview process. Make some notes on the things you felt you didn’t project strongly enough and how you could improve.

• Education and Qualifications: Not just a few words rattled off in an email or tagged on to the end of the phone call where they break the news. Get some quality feedback. The best interviewers (and the more sensitive ones) will ask if you want to arrange another time to talk about the interview and the outcome: say yes! Then go away and prepare for that conversation as if it’s another interview. Take time to gather your thoughts, and cultivate a better frame of mind. Make a list of questions you want to ask, points you want to raise, and make sure you have paper and pen to make notes of what they say to refer back to later when preparing for other interviews.

• Don’t burn your bridges: Remember to stay professional; you might be feeling hard done by now, but there may be other roles with that company in the future and you want to make sure that they remember you for all the right reasons. 

Take a Reality Check ...

If you aren’t getting past the application stage you need to take some action. 

• Do you meet all of the essential requirements (and most of the desired ones too)? If you aren’t ticking those boxes, then the likelihood of you getting an interview are very slim. You need to be realistic in your job choices, spend your valuable time on those which have a good chance of being successful.

• Are you doing yourself justice in your applications? Think about how you are expressing yourself on your CV or in your applications. It’s important to not only tell employers about the skills you have, but to give them some evidence to prove you have successfully used them, detailing any results if possible. Using the CAR formula (Context, Action, Result) can help to structure what you write and keep it concise. 

• If in doubt ... if you’re unsure about how you are presenting yourself then get some advice! Ask friends to look over your applications and discuss the roles you are applying for. Using a service like CVKnowHow can give you professional, objective guidance. 

Take Back Control ...

The whole process of job hunting can feel like someone else is pulling your strings. Thinking that you’re at the mercy of their decision making can make you feel vulnerable and, well, it’s just a little bit scary. However, there are many other ways that you can take back some control: 

• You can decide where and how you look for jobs – besides job sites, you can also use your own network, asking if friends or family are aware of any opportunities, or simply identify companies you would like to work for and contact them speculatively. 

• What you apply for is your decision too – remember , your time is too precious to waste. 

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, as the saying goes. Send off the application, or attend the interview, and then move on to the next one. Knowing we have choices is an empowering force in itself. 

• How you present yourself and obtaining help to do his effectively is completely within your control. 

Be Kind to Yourself ...

Self knowledge is a wonderful thing – knowing your strengths and skills and recognising them as valuable assets can communicate many positive vibes to prospective employers: if you feel good about yourself, it projects! When things get tough remind yourself of those skills and qualities (some people I’ve coached have kept a list to look back through – it worked for them!) – valuing yourself means employers will value you too. 

Take some time out to relax and focus on something other than job applications – even if it’s just a little time – keeping your mind healthy. 

About the Author: CV Knowhow, our CV writing company partner, have written this article. They are ready and waiting to help you put your new CV together. Check them out here and submit your CV for a FREE review today. 

What is a Numerical Reasoning Test?
Numerical reasoning tests evaluate a candidate’s ability to manipulate numbers and analyse numerical data. Numerical reasoning tests consist of both word problems and graph/table questions.

How Long Are CEB's SHL Numerical Tests?
There is no one answer to this question. The length of a Gartner CEB's SHL numerical test varies based on employer. It can contain anywhere from 10 to 50 questions.
Is the Gartner CEB SHL Numerical Reasoning Test a Timed or Untimed Test?

Gartner CEB's SHL numerical test is a TIMED test! This is extremely important to know before taking the exam. The time clock often adds to the difficulty of the exam. But, don’t worry. You often are not expected to complete all the questions within the time limit.

Are All Garner CEB’s SHL Numerical Reasoning Tests the Same?
No! The CEB numerical reasoning test you will face will be tailored to the level of job you are applying for. This means if you are applying for a managerial position, you will take a different numerical reasoning test than that taken by a graduate. Here are some practice Gartner CEB SHL numerical reasoning tests based on level:
• Senior management
• Graduate/management
• Entry level

How Is the Gartner CEB’s SHL Numerical Reasoning Test Scored?
CEB's SHL numerical reasoning test is a multiple-choice test. Your score is based on the number of correct answers you receive. This means it is better to guess on questions than to leave them blank.

What Is an SHL Pass Score?
The SHL pass score, which can also be called a cut score or pass mark, is the score a candidate must obtain to continue on to the other stages of the assessment. Each employer can choose if they would like to use a pass score as well as determine what they would like it to be. It is important to note that pass scores are used differently on CEB’s SHL verify tests and on those SHL CEB tests given at an assessment centre. SHL verify tests are a shorter version of the exam given to candidates online before the assessment centre. The verify test is used as a tool for recruiters to sift out the best candidates—those who should move on to the assessment centre. Thus, most of these tests have a pass score. The pass scores vary based on the employer and job type.

How Can I Prepare for Gartner CEB’s SHL Numerical Test?
First and foremost, CEB’s SHL encourages candidates to practise in advance! This means you should not just wing it on exam day. Before you sit the exam, make sure you understand basic mathematical operations. Brush up on your calculator skills; using the calculator efficiently can save you valuable time on your test. Practise estimating numbers when solving the questions. This can be a helpful shortcut. For a full list of study tips, tricks, solving methods, and online practice tests, check out JobTestPrep’s Gartner SHL numerical practice packs.

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Thank you to JobTestPrep, our partner, who has supplied this fantastic article. It was contributed by Jennifer Feldman. She is a speech and language expert and blogger at JobTestPrep. She specialises in writing about the employment hiring process. 

We came across an article in the news today about the top skills that employers are looking for. Within the piece it states that the number one skill is verbal communication. Whether this is needed or not in the actual role, it is felt that this skill is the most important over any of other. Do you agree?

Second in the research is teamwork. Although teamwork is paramount when working alongside others, there are jobs that probably require other more important skills over teamwork, so it really does depend on the industry and job role.

Some of the other skills within the top 10 include; commercial awareness, analysis and investigation, initiative and self-motivation, drive, written communication, planning, organisation and time management. Although this list is not exhaustive, it does cover some of the most important skills needed for many roles. As already mentioned some skills may be more important for specific roles that are not highlighted here so although the above are thought to be the most important based on a number of surveys, it is not set in stone. 

For example, an IT Software Developers' most important skills may be programming, logical thinking, structured thinking and attention to detail whereas a Sales Managers' most important skills may be verbal communication, teamwork, leadership and negotiation skills etc.

You can see the latest article in the news here. 

Love to hear your thoughts on what skill is the most important in your role? 

- Do you think you are not been paid enough? Not being valued at your company?
- Do you look at your pay slip and wish you had been paid that little bit more that you deserve?
- Do you think you have been particularly successful in your job? And gone beyond expectations?

...... If you have answered 'yes' to any of the above, then it is time to negotiate a pay rise. But how do you go about this and what are the best strategies in order to get the best rise?

Most companies will conduct quarterly or bi-annually pay reviews for their employee's, which if successful will result in a pay rise. However, as a hard working employee that is successful, you may feel it is justified to approach your boss to ask for a rise before your review is due.

Whatever your situation is, you will have already agreed this is in your contract and know when your pay review will be - and before your conversation with your boss, the key thing to remember is that you must prepare!

Before you ask
It is advisable to do some background work about salaries in your industry and role and plan your negotiations prior to approaching your boss. You can normally use salary analyzers or something similar on the Internet, or even phone around to ask recruitment agencies for the market averages for your role.

You need to really know what you are worth and what you have achieved recently, and why you deserve the pay rise. You will need to explain what skills and benefits you have brought to the company, how you have excelled in your role in particular and that you are a loyal employee. You will need to focus on your knowledge and experience you have developed and the way you have grown, learnt and developed whilst working for the company. You should note any expectations you have exceeded, any additional responsibilities you have incurred and any extra achievements you have made that stand out and you feel you deserve credit for. You need to be able to explain all of these points in detail, expand on any of them in detail and show that these are the reasons why you should be considered for a pay rise!

You need to show your commitment and express your desire to do well and tell your boss what you are trying to target and what you want to achieve.

Things that you need to consider what you have done when negotiating a pay rise:

· Projects you have managed, led, completed and have been noted as being out standing
· Any awards you have received
· Any procedures you have put in place that may have saved the company money
· Tasks you have been individually assigned to do due to your unique skills and abilities
· Additional tasks beyond what you expected in your current job role
· Anything you have excelled on and been praised for in the past

Also be clear as to what your current salary is, what the average is and what you ideally want!

How much to ask for?
It is a good idea to ask for more than you anticipate and that you give yourself room to negotiate. Expect your boss to propose a counter offer after you have asked for your pay rise sum. You should definitely bargain and you should expect it to usually end up in a middle ground figure so always go in high!

What if your boss says NO?
Just because you are going for a pay rise, you may not necessarily get it - but do not be disappointed if he says no. Firstly, there is always next time and from the feedback on this review you can work towards the next. You need to understand the reasons why he/she has said no and reflect on them. It is not the end of the world and it is not forever.

It may be due to the fact that you are still in the learning curve at work and still developing new skills, in which case, once you feel fully developed; it could be time to ask again.

Do not be afraid to ask for non-financial benefits as well, such as, a phone or extra holiday. You could ask for training and development and the company may be more inclined to pay for this, as you will be learning more and bringing more value to the company. Employees are an asset to companies that they work for at the end of the day!

If you really feel you deserve a pay rise and you are not happy working at the company, then you can always search for a new job that would be willing to pay you more. It may be that your current company is not suited to you and this is your sign to take the next step.

Result!
It is a great feeling if you manage to receive a pay rise! If you work hard and achieve great results, they do not often go un-noticed and you will no doubt be rewarded with what you deserve. A good confidence boost, self-satisfaction and self-affiliation will be the result!

Good luck!

You can also read this article in our Career Centre.