Being in the final stages of an interview process can be exciting and nerve racking. When a recruiter reaches out to you with an opportunity in mind, you may not have even been actively searching for a new role. Recruiters often target the passive candidate market. When a chemical recruiter reaches out to a passive candidate, it is because their professional background was specifically found and targeted for a opportunity they are working on with a client. After a phone screen with the recruiter, they will submit the candidate background and information to the client with the candidate’s permission. If the client is interested, then this is where the interview process begins. As a candidate, be patient in the process as each company and hiring manager move at their own pace through the process.
The hiring and recruiting process is unique to each company. It is up to the hiring manager’s discretion on how many interviews to have per candidate, how many candidates they would like to see and how quickly they would like to move through the process. Recruiters are there to be advocates for the candidates, while also acting as a guide in the process for the hiring manager. As a candidate, it helps to understand how far along in the process the client is with this role. Asking questions about the process, such as how long the role has been open and if the client has started to interview candidates, can help determine this. Hiring managers often want to see more than one candidate when interviewing. If they are just starting to interview candidates, it may add some time in the process while they look at others to compare. In the meantime, stay connected with the recruiter and hiring manager. Consistent communication will keep each party engaged, excited and informed. This is one of the benefits working with recruiters. Recruiters can mediate between the client and candidate to ensure that the communication stays consistent. Recruiters act as an advocate for the client and the candidate, ensuring that each are finding the perfect match for what they are looking for.
A healthy recruiting and hiring process is going to take time. It starts with a recruiter and client discussion on what the role entails. Then the recruiting team will identify passive candidates that could be a fit for the role and reach out to them. From there, once the candidates have given permission, they are submitted to the client. That is when the interview process begins if the client is interested in moving forward. This part of the process varies for each company, but for most, the first interviewing step is a phone screen with Human Resources and sometimes with the hiring manager. There may be more phone screens or virtual interviews, or some companies move right into onsite interviews. These steps will happen with multiple candidates. If the company is interested in a candidate from that point, then there will often be background checks, an offer will need to be curated and approved before being sent to the candidate. Though it might be nerve racking that the process is taking some time, rely on your recruiter to stay updated and ease those nerves. When a recruiter is on the other end of the phone, you never know where that call could take you or what opportunities it could bring. Trust the process.
-Written by Michelle Laud: Specialty Chemicals Recruiter