Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 23

Tips and tricks for successful applications

GersomVanderSpek

HeadofRecruitment

adidasGroupRussia

1
Moscow,HSE, 26.11.2008
We are looking for people who…
BEHAVIOUR COMPETENCY
Have the ability to work effectively in a team TEAM PLAY
Have the ability to learn quickly PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
and willing to grow fast
Like working in a challenging, dynamic and MOTIVATION / CULTURE FIT
informal environment and passionate for sports and
our brands
Are high achievers and are action oriented RESULTS ORIENTATION
Meet the professional, high standards in there area PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
of responsibility
Are able to meet deadlines and to deal with stress STRESS RESISTANT

‘Do not be mislead by our informal way of dealing with each other; adidas
group is fun to work for but serious in its business. To be successful, it is not
enough to be skilled and trained: you need passion. You don’t need to be a
sports professional but you need a passion for sports. A passion for our
products. A passion for your work.’

2
Recruitment procedure – doesn’t take too
long!
Steps Specifics
1. Search for the job Job sites, company sites, career fairs, Master classes,
etc
2. Understand the job Responsibilities and requirements
specifics
3. Apply CV and optionally writing cover letter
4. Brief phone interview Education, background, motivation
with a recruiter

5. Tests at the office Ability tests and optional personality questionnaire


6. Interview with I will give you some insights later: link with
recruiter competencies
7. Interview with This can possibly also include specific tests,
department translations or any other business case
8. Reference checks I will explain you why this is important
9. Job offer When you start, which salary and other benefits

3
Maybe you wonder – why all these steps???

Validity of a method = correlation between


methods
used for selection (predictor) and applicant’s
real
Validity r Predictor for work
performance on the job (criteria)
performance

R < 0.20 Bad predictor

0.20 < R < 0.30 Medium predictor

0.30 < R < 0.50 Good predictor

R > 0.50 Very good predictor

4
This is why….
Selection tool Validity r

Assessment center 0.36

Unstructured interview 0.14

Bio data 0.53

Structured interview 0.40

IQ/ ability test 0.53

Average school mark 0.11

CONCLUSION: THE COMBINATION OF ALL FACTORS GIVES AN


EMPLOYER THE
HIGHEST SECURITY IN HIRING PERSONNEL, BUT NEVER A 100%
GUARANTEE 5
Step 1: Search for the job

• Idea: join in activities that companies organize for you!!!


• I personally regret not having done this frequently during my study
period
• Good opportunity to explore the company’s culture, your future
colleagues, etc
• When labor conditions in companies are the same (think of BIG 4),
you choose the company mainly based on the people who you
connected with

• Internet nowadays is another great tool to make yourself familiar


with companies
• However, again, everything can be written on websites, but better to
check it yourself ;-)

6
Step 2: Understand the job specifics

• When you know which companies you like, you can zoom in and
look for specific vacancies

• Closely analyze what the responsibilities & requirements are


• Advice: feel free to contact the responsible recruiter to get more details
if you need it! Avoid misunderstandings and wrong expectations.

• If you don’t see a job that you like, but you really want to work for a
specific company, write an open application
• Advice: if you participate in company’s events, you definitely can have
a benefit with personal inside connections!
• There is a real risk that otherwise you won’t get an answer
• For great people, we for example sometimes ‘create’ a job or hire
someone for a different role than the person originally applied for

7
Step 3: Apply

Cover letter
• In Russia, I noticed that not many people don’t write a cover letter
• And if they do, they are usually not very good ;-)
• Advice: do it and do it well! Especially in this period of crisis and hiring
freezes, you have to stand out and this is a good way of doing so
• Until now, people were hired anyway. The crisis changes this
situation.
• Also with an open application, you can write a cover letter
• Have your letter checked by several other people BEFORE you apply!

CV
• Don’t underestimate the importance of a good CV!!!!
• Remember that within 5 seconds, you need to catch the eye of a
recruiter
• Again, have your CV checked by professionals
• For example, my CV was checked more than 100 times when I was living
in New York

SOME PRACTICAL EXAMPLES FOR YOU……..

8
A bad CV….
• Lots of pages, making a whole bookwork without any
structure
• Too many details about job responsibilities that you can also
discuss during your interview
• My first impression will be: the person has problems with
summarizing and distinguishing key elements with irrelevant
elements for the ‘target audience (recruiters)’

• Unattractive lay-out
• Again, unstructured CV is unpleasant to read

• No specific achievements mentioned

9
A good CV….example of structure
Name / Contact info / Date of Birth
Career objective what are you looking for in the short term, and where do you
want to be in 5 years (not more than 1 or 2 phrases)

Work experience company name and period when you were/are employed
(mention this first!!!) your job title
your key tasks/responsibilities (be to the point!)
main achievements (% increase of sales, finished projects,
evaluation scores, etc)

Education name of university, name of specific bachelor or master


main achievements (red diploma, special study projects, etc)

Languages Russian & foreign languages that you speak (indicate the
level)
Computer skills Office, Mail, Databases, etc etc (indicate the level)
Skills, knowledge, competencies, strengths ask your friends, colleagues, family what they find strong,
no need to mention your weaknesses in CV, that will follow
in interview ;-)
Activities what do you like to do in your free time?

10
A good CV….
• Remember, you need to catch the eye of a recruiter in 5
seconds!
• So make a good, structured lay-out
• Highlight your main achievements, make it visible!
• Even if you didn’t work for a ‘famous name’, you can
catch the attention

• Be honest and realistic in what you write, but don’t hesitate


to ‘sell yourself’
• Good interviewers will surely discover soon when you
exaggerate in your CV!

• Try to put all info in 1 page!


• If you want to include a reference list or some more detailed
specifics, I advise you to add ‘appendices’

11
What should be included in a good cover letter (max 1
page)?
Your name
Your address

TO:
Title Name of recruiter (If you don’t know, find out and call! Especially when you don’t
Address of company know the gender ;-) )

Place, date

Dear ………, again, don’t forget the right gender ;-)


Herewith I would like to express my interest in the job position of …………….. Below I will further
explain why I am interested in this position and why I believe that there is a good match between
the job description and my experience and skills.
Part 1: what is so interesting about the company? What do you know about them and what
appeals to you? (if you participated in a company activity or if someone referred you to the
company, mention it!!)
Part 2: why interested in this job? What/which challenges in the JD appeals to you? Why
does this job fit into your short and long term career objective? How did you find out about
this job?
Part 3: explain why there is a good match between the job and your personal skills
Part 4: why do you believe that you can be successful in this job and why you are so
motivated
Please find attached my CV and appendices for further details. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely yours,

12
Step 4: Brief phone interview with recruiter

• Will usually not last more than 10 minutes


• Basic questions about your education, background and motivation
• Foreign language skills are also checked, if you indicate them in CV

Advices:
• Be polite and clear in your answers
• Show motivation for the job / ask questions if you have the chance
• Be flexible in your time schedule when you are invited, don’t miss the
chance!

13
Step 5: tests
Test Tips
Ability tests: • Read instructions carefully (ask if you doubt)
• Verbal information • Prepare what is necessary (internet connection,
• Numerical information calculator)
• Concentrate and ask not to be disturbed
• You can prepare with similar tests online
• Don’t come when you don’t feel 100% and postpone!
Personality • No good or bad answers!
questionnaire: • Try not to select the middle variant
• Various questions, - We know that everything depends on situations, but
mainly about your generally better to follow your intuition and make a
preferences in work & life choice, unless you really don’t know
• Do not try to appear better than you are, be yourself!
-This will come out in the test!
- don’t be afraid of the outcome; we know that this is only
an indicator!

14
Step 6: Interview with recruiter/HR (1)
• Preparation
• Learn more about the company – career website!
• Study the job description
• Dress code and culture – call in advance!
• Think about concrete examples during your study/previous job!
• Remember the competencies…you can expect lots of questions!

BEHAVIOUR COMPETENCY
Have the ability to work effectively in a team TEAM PLAY
Have the ability to learn quickly PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
and willing to grow fast
Like working in a challenging, dynamic and MOTIVATION / CULTURE FIT
informal environment and passionate for sports
and our brands
Are high achievers and are action oriented RESULTS ORIENTATION
Meet the professional, high standards in there PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
area of responsibility
Are able to meet deadlines and to deal with STRESS RESISTANT
stress

15
Step 6: Interview with recruiter/HR (2)
• Be on time for the interview
• Check the office address
• Traffic jams are no excuse….

• Interview structure
• Introduction recruiter and candidate’s self-presentation
• Basic questions: education, previous experience, motivation, questions on
letter/CV
• Competency based questions
• Presentation of the vacant position, ask your own questions and next steps
• I always like it when I notice that candidates prepared own questions~!

• Simple rules
• Be polite
• Listen carefully to questions, make eye contact and don’t interrupt
• Put your hands above the table and don’t play with pen or paper
• Don’t talk too much; be to the point in your answers
• If recruiter wants more details, he/she will ask you!
• Respect company rules and culture, but don’t be too informal
• I have a nice anecdote for you…..
• First impression MATTERS!

16
How important is first impression?

BODY LANGUAGE
55 %

VOICE (MODULATION, SOUND, ETC)


38 %

CONTENT
7%

Of course, at the end of the interview the interviewer


will need to evaluate ALL elements, but keep in mind
how much you can already win with a good preparation
and first impression!

17
And of course, try to control your nerves…

Careful preparation and some practice in advance will help you very
much in controlling your nerves. It is not easy to pass an interview;
being interviewed is also a matter of experience!

18
Step 7: Interview with department
• Same applies as for interview with recruiter, and…

• Ask the recruiter what to expect


• What kind of professional questions can I expect?
• What kind of specific tasks?
• How can I prepare?
• Who will interview me?
• Can I get some additional information on the professional
issues?

• After the interview, you can ask for a business card


and write a short ‘thank you for your time’ email

19
Step 8: Reference check - importance
Selection tool Validity r

Assessment center 0.36

Unstructured interview 0.14

Bio data 0.53

Structured interview 0.40

IQ/ ability test 0.53

Average school mark 0.11

• Ask some previous colleagues/teachers to give references for


you
• Again, this is important info for companies!
• If you leave the company, try to do it in harmony – think of your
20
reputation!
Step 9: Job offer
• Do your homework
• What is marketable salary?
• What is reasonable to ask, given my skills and experience?
• What other benefits will I get?
• Not only salary matters, also bonus plans, insurance,
discounts on products/services and other benefits!

• You can negotiate, but don’t over ask!


• The risk also exists that the company will not make a final
offer if you behave too conceited

21
Step 10: Welcome and congratulations!!!

22
Questions?

• Gersom Van der Spek, Head of Recruitment

• Дмитрий Родионов, специалист по подбору студентов и


выпускников

adidas Group Russia


http://vacancy.adidas.ru

23

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi