Descheneaux Insurance Recruiters Ltd.

Insurance Job ListingsDo's & Don'ts of Presenting Yourself

DO:

 

  1. DO call your recruiter if you're running late for an appointment, can't make it, got stuck in traffic, your child is ill & you need to reschedule.   Whatever the reason, it takes 2 minutes and if you don't do it, you brand yourself right off the bat as an undesirable candidate. Most recruiters have been around long enough to know that candidates who don't show for interviews with them are likely to do the same with their clients, so why would they bother?
  2. DO include the name of a referral if applicable. Referrals add to your credibility and may help you get an interview even if your qualifications aren't a match. Most recruiters also like to thank the people who have provided them with referrals.
  3. DO bring any letters of reference, commendation, diplomas/certificates, transcripts etc. you have on file to the initial interview.   Recruiters will always conduct professional reference checks and verify any education; by bringing in such documents, you are accelerating this process and thus, accelerating your job search.
  4. DO dress professionally for an interview with a recruiter. This is considered a formal interview and the recruiter is prescreening you on behalf of his/her clients. The better impression you make on the recruiter, the better chance you have of getting an interview with their clients and securing your dream job.
  5. DO ensure your resume lists your responsibilities in point form under each position you've had AND make sure your jobs are listed chronologically, starting with the most recent.
  6. DO include your objective in your cover letter or email introduction. Objectives on resumes tend to be either very specific or overly vague. Outline your job expectations and career objectives as a way to introduce yourself and your resume. The cover letter or email introduction is also a useful forum to mention why this opportunity caught your eye or why you think you're the right person for the job. If you live out of the recruiter's area, use the cover letter to mention your plans to relocate.
  7. DO make sure your recruiter only sends your resume to clients whom you have approved.   Privacy legislation is tight these days and by law, recruiters are only allowed to submit your personal information (ie. your resume) to third parties (ie. their clients) with your permission. While most recruiting agencies have been following this protocol for years, others are not as compliant which unfortunately, leaves the ball in your court when it comes to protecting your personal information.

  DON'T:

 

  1. DON'T send your resume from a questionable email address, such as redhotmama@hotmail.com   or bigguns@yahoo.com . Not only are such addresses often flagged as SPAM or Junk Mail, but if they do make it through they raise questions of your professional integrity. Our advice: if you have an email address that could be considered unprofessional, set up a separate email account to communicate with potential employers.
  2. DON'T submit your resume without an introduction, cover letter, or job code.   Recruiters have multiple job opportunities posted at any given time; it's only fair that you indicate which one(s) you are interested in. True, it's a recruiter's job to match your qualifications with their client's needs but a few introductory sentences about who you are, your career history and your current career goals would win you huge brownie points and get the recruiting process off to a very good start.
  3. DON'T send an email requesting more information. All the information you really need should be outlined in the job description and the recruiters own website. Keep in mind recruiters pre-screen candidates for their clients and until you have gone through this process, any additional information regarding the client and the position is considered confidential. Our advice: follow proper protocol by submitting your resume & brief cover letter. If your qualifications are a match, you will be invited for an interview where you can ask all the questions you like! If there are certain companies you do NOT wish to be presented to, feel free to politely list those and the recruiter will act accordingly.
  4. DON'T agree to pay a fee. It is against the law in Canada for a recruiter to charge a candidate. Recruiters earn fees from clients to find qualified candidates, prescreen, test, arrange interviews, negotiate salary etc.   There should never be any cost to you as a candidate.
  5. DON'T send your resume without first doing a little research on the recruiter. Does this recruiter handle jobs in your chosen field? Do they recruit in your area? Most of the answers to these questions can be found on a recruiter's website, take a little time to explore it. Our advice: if you find a recruiter is a good fit for you, go for it! But if there is anything about you that might raise questions, be sure to address this in your introduction. For example, you live out of the recruiter's area but are planning to relocate: "I am relocating to your city in 2 months and am seeking assistance with my job search. . ." Or, you are looking for a career change: "My background is computer programming but I have always had an aptitude for statistics and am seeking a career change to utilize those skills. . ."