The job market is rough and people will have to stay on top of the process to get a position. Experience will be important, but it’s just part of the whole picture. The recruiters will be evaluating everything on the resume and what happens in the interview.

To help out those candidates, these are some things recruiters will be looking for:

• Research

It’s important that applicants have at least two questions to ask the recruiter. They’ll need to cite some information about the position offered or the company. All it takes is a few minutes on the website of the company.

• Timing

Timing is always everything when people are looking for a job, and being early has its benefits. When the recruiter makes their first contact, it’ll be a test of the applicant’s interest and their communication skills. So, it’s very important to respond as soon as possible.

• Be on time

There aren’t any good reasons for a candidate to be late because the first impression will not be good. Applicants need to check the traffic and weather and leave twice as much time to get there.

• Dress appropriately

Applicants should keep it simple, neat, and clean. If they dress in clothes that are messy, provocative or flashy, that’ll be what the recruiter remembers.

• Good personal hygiene

It could be the BO, halitosis or the messy hair that the recruiter will remember so take a moment to prepare by popping a mint or lightly spraying a bit of perfume.

• Your handshake is important

This is the first interaction with the recruiter, and if the handshake is too soft, hard or sweaty it’ll be a bad impression that the hiring manager won’t forget

• Keep eye contact

Always look the recruiter in the eye or at their mouth during the conversation. Otherwise, they may think the candidate isn’t very interested or is hiding something.

• Use good communication skills

The recruiter will listen very carefully during the interview. So, for those applicants whose speech is too casual or they use profanity of slang, they’ll definitely not get the job. Candidates need to practice giving their answers. During the interview, they need to gain their composure before giving an answer, so they sound professional.

• Demonstrate passion for the position

Recruiters will want to know the applicant really wants the job they’re offering. They need to include some specific things about the position that relates to their personal goals and interests.

• Ask good questions

Make sure the questions count. Ask about the reporting structure, why the position is open, and what the schedule is like for the day. These are questions that demonstrate to the recruiter that the candidate is trying to find out if this job is right for them.

• Don’t stumble through past experience

Applicants need to remember everything that’s on their resume. If they have to stumble when asked a question about their past experience, the recruiter might assume it was embellished. It’s important to show your credibility and be straightforward about what you’ve done.

• Don’t focus on the money

There are always some negotiations concerning salary, but if the applicant asks for an unreasonable amount, it shows the recruiter that they’re here more for the money than the job

• Be Honest

The recruiter will find out eventually if the applicant lied about anything on their resume or during the interview. When this happens, they’ll be unhappy that lies were told. So, it always pays, to be honest.

• Don’t be cocky

Of course, confidence is very important in a job interview. However, there’s a difference between knowing the applicant can perform the work and thinking they know more than the recruiter. The recruiter knows more about the job than the candidate. So applicants should use this interview to find out what they can contribute, not just say that they’re the best.

• Tell about your impact on past jobs

Recruiters will ask why the applicants’ daily tasks mattered and if they created revenue. They also want to know if the candidates contributed to a marketing plan. Applicants need to think bigger than their workplace when asked these questions about their experience.

• Be consistent

Every action and communication will be analyzed during the entire interview. Every person that’s spoken to will have some say in what the final decision comes down to. Applicants need to make sure that their actions and communications are consistent through the entire process. This will assure the recruiter that this candidate will succeed in the position.