How Employers Hire

As students many of us feel left in the dark about how employers hire, and by consequence what kind of things we should know in order to up our chances of scoring that dream job.

In reality, the hiring process employers use to hire new employees varies depending on the company. Typically though, the process begins by reviewing the applications that come in for the open position, which usually entails going over both resumes and cover letters provided by the applicants. Stop by Career Services to go over any portion of your application, and make sure all of your documents are free of spelling and grammar mistakes - this is seen as extremely unprofessional.

*However* it is important to note that many employers are now using various social networking tools such as LinkedIn as part of the applicant screening process - the quality of your online profile can play a huge role in determining whether you move on to the next stage of the hiring process. Make sure your profile is professional and highlights all of your valuable and relevant experience!

If you get a call for an interview, congrats! This is the next stage of the process. Interviews may come in many forms including group interviews, panel interviews, individual interviews and even Skype/phone interviews depending on the location of the job. Make sure you Prepare for your Interview properly by doing your research and anticipating the kinds of questions they might ask you.

This stage will usually either be followed by another interview or the decision making process by the employers. Give the employers some time in order to make their decision (1-2 weeks) and follow up if necessary. Always provide a Thank-You note!

The hiring process may seem daunting to those of us who are the prospective employees and not the employers, but the most important thing is to be prepared and confident in your skills and abilities. Stop by Career Services for more resources & tips!

- Lia