Tips for Text Messaging and Interviewing With Recruiters

Tips for Text Messaging and Interviewing With RecruitersTips for Text Messaging and Interviewing With RecruitersBefore you start yurjob hunt, you might want to brush up on your texting skills, particularly if you are a seasoned employee who hasnt been on the job market for a few years. According to Jobvites2018 Recruiter Nation Survey, 43 percent of hiring managers have communicated with job candidates via text, with 88 percent reporting positive feedback from the job seeker. In plus-rechnen to conversations with recruiters, text job interviews are becoming mora commonplace. Some companies even handle the entire process by text messaging. Christian Mairoll, CEO ofEmsisoft, says, Weve been a fully-remote company for 15years and, during that time, have always interviewed via text. No face-to-face meetings or even voice calls. Text-only. And we find this to be enormously beneficial. As almost all our communication is via Slack, written communication skills are far more important than ve rbal skills. There are benefits for job seekers, as well. Mairoll notes, Text-based interviews are less stressful and enable candidates to talk without the performance-impacting nervousness that some experience during other forms of interview. This means we get to see who they really are. Furthermore, as were blind to things like disability, race/ethnicity, religion and, in some cases, even gender, our selection is entirely based on merit. Review advice on how to make the best impression when youre text messaging or interviewing with a recruiter. Tips for Texting With a Recruiter Communicating through text poses unique challenges, since the medium,by its very nature,demands that one be concise and to-the-point. So, how do you enkoranvers that you can present yourself as positively as you might in an schmelzglas (where you can go into more detail) oron a telephone call (where the tone of voice and enthusiasm can easily be conveyed)? Keep a Professional Tone You will show your self at your best if you maintain a degree of formality and professionalism in all yourcommunications with a recruiter, regardless of the tools you are using. Many use a casual tone for texting their friends and family. You need totakeit up a notch when youre talking to a recruiter or any other professional connection. Dont Initiate Contact by Text Generally, you should not be the one to initiate contact with a job recruiter or potential employer through a text message. Send your initial job application and resume through traditional channels, and communicate afterward via email or phone as warranted. Your follow-up after a job interview should not be sent by text, either not only is this poor manners, but texting doesnt allow you the message length youll need to create an effective and eye-catchingthank you for our interview letterthat will enhance your hiring prospects. However, if a recruiter reaches out to you by text, then they will expect a text in return. Use Business Standards Once a recruiter has established that he or she prefers to communicate through text, its time to think about your language and phrasing. Yourtext messageshould be correct in every detail and as carefully written as any business communication with someone you dont know well. Spell out all your words, using no abbreviations or acronyms.Dont use any emoticons oremojisunless the recruiter does first.If you have a text signature that is sent at the bottom of every text message, make sure its appropriate for use in professional communication.Check and recheck your spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and watch out for autocorrect errors.Because texting, like phone conversations, is real time communication, only send your text to a recruiter during normal business hours. Get Your Message Across You want to keep your text message as short as possible, but dont be afraid to convey information that will heighten the recruiters interest in you. Express enthusiasm for the opport unity youre writing about, just as you would in person.Briefly mention the qualifications or experience that make you ideal for the job.Before you hit send, check that youre sending the text to the right person. Sample Text Message Example (Text Version) Dear Ms. Stanford I was excited to receive your text regarding the position opening at ABC Company. As I noted in my resume, I am eager to find a new opportunity to fully utilize my leadership, project management, and communications talents, and thus I am very interested in seeing where this may lead. Please let me know our next step in this process thank you Expand Stand By to Respond After you send your text, make sure youre ready to respond as needed. Promptly reply to any questions asked by return text.If the recipient responds at all, a simple thank you for the response can be a polite gesture.Make sure your voicemail message sounds professional, just in case the person decides to call you back rather than texting.If you p refer contact by text, consider writing Text Messages Accepted next to your cell number on your resume. Above all, dont worry that following these rules will make you sound like a cold fish. Your first few contacts with a job recruiter should show that you understand how to be professional. And thats true no matter what tools you use to communicate. Tips for Handling a Text Job Interview Youve just been invited for a text interview. Now what? Whats the best way to handle it? Aman Brar, CEO ofCanvas, the first text-based intelligent interviewing system, shareshis advice for acing a text interview Be concise.In a text-based interview, you dont have to be verbose. In fact, being succinct and to-the-point is a really effective way to communicate, especially via text. Choose your words wisely. Just like you would want to be succinct during a phone screen, it is even more important to get to the point during a text-based interview. Dont reiterate whats already on your resume. Instead, spend time explaining why youre passionate about the line of work, what drives you, and how your previous professional experiences tie into the role youre exploring. Take your time.A major benefit of text-based interviews is that they give you time to craft a well-thought-out response. Dont be afraid to take the time you needtoarticulate your message. Its okay to take a momenttoprocess the question and put together a thoughtful response. Text interviews remove some of the pressure to think on your feet, affording you a chance to put your best foot forward- something especially appreciated by introverted candidates. Taking the time to compose a well-written and convincing argument for why an employer should hire you is in your best interest and makes the decision process easier for the interviewer. Be business casual.Even though the interview is taking place via text, you can still use it as an opportunity to show off your business personality. If a recruiter sends you an emoji or B itmoji, consider it a positive sign that theyre trying to build a friendly rapport and put you at ease. Dont be afraid to insert an emoji or Bitmoji (after the recruiter does, so you know its acceptable) to add a personal touch,as it can be a great indicator of how youll fit into the companys culture.Its important to talk about who you are professionally,but adding somehintsabout who you are outside of work can be the difference between getting a job offer and getting a rejection. Ask questions.A text interview may seem like a super preliminary step to the on-phone or in-person interview, but dont let that deter you from getting as much information up-front as possible. Be sure to ask for information such as the job description, office perks, team off-sites and outings,and benefits packages. It shows initiative and that you are genuinely interested in the work environment and company brand.